Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode today honoured 75 Public Servants who have demonstrated outstanding commitment in the discharge of their duties with a promise to continually reward excellent performance in service delivery.
Ambode urged the recipients to keep their focus on the future which he noted would be defined by their actions today, adding that the anticipated future would only become a reality if they remain open to innovative ideas.
The Governor, who spoke today at the grand finale/public lecture of the Y2017 Public Service Week Celebration in the State, pointed out that at the goal of the present administration is to ensure that Public Servants are equipped with the right skills, knowledge and attitude needed for the realization of the medium and long term plans, particularly in the critical sectors of the economy, hence the priority attention being given the issue of training and retraining of the workforce.
According to him, “As we celebrate the achievements we have together recorded in the past two years, we must keep our focus on the future which will be defined by our actions today. The future we anticipate will become a reality only if we remain open to innovative ideas and continuously search for better ways of doing things in a knowledge-driven goal system.”
The Governor assured that issue of welfare of Public Servants would not be relegated to the background, stressing that the State Government would sustain the payment of all outstanding retirement benefits of retirees.
Ambode said “As we prioritize capacity building, the issue of welfare of Public Servants, whether serving or retired, will not be relegated to the background. We will sustain the ongoing efforts to ensure payment of all outstanding retirement benefits. Our goal which will be achieved in no distant future is to ensure that payment of retirement benefits is effected without unnecessary delay.”
While calling for the unflinching support and commitment of the Public Service in his dream of a new Lagos that works for all, the Governor congratulated all the award recipients, adding that the ceremony affords the State Government the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of dedicated civil servants who have demonstrated uncommon zeal in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He reiterated that the Public Service Week celebration as we all know is an annual event organised to celebrate Public Servants and appreciate the role they play in ensuring the delivery of dividends of good governance to the people. He emphasised that, “Indeed, this year’s theme is of great significance to us as it is consistent with our vision to ensure inclusive growth and lay a strong foundation for future development”.
Earlier, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola urged the award recipients not to rest on their oars but rather continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, diligence, commitment to duty and unalloyed loyalty which she said are the qualities and values that qualified them for the honour.
“Therefore, as I congratulate all the 75 Public Servants that have been adjudged outstanding and as such deserving of this honour and recognition; I enjoin all workers in the State to continue to discharge their civic responsibilities efficiently and diligently. I urge you all to rededicate yourselves through improved service delivery to the citizenry,” Ademola said.
The theme of the Public lecture of the week-long celebration, The Future is Now: Accelerating Public Service Innovation for Agenda 2030, was delivered by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass.
