3rd July, 2022
The Lagos State Government at the weekend kicked off a week-long activities to celebrate this year’s Public Service Week celebration, urging workers to eschew indiscipline and disloyalty.
Head of Service (HoS), Hakeem Muri-Okunola, at a news conference at the State Government Secretariat, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, said the international Public Service Day is the 23rd day of June annually, and in line with the United Nation’s global objective, primarily aims to highlight and appreciate the value and contributions of Public Institutions and the public service in the development of all sectors of society and nation building as a whole, around the world.
He said another important plank of the celebration was the focus on encouraging youths to pursue careers in the public sector.
Muri-Okunola stated that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Building Back Better from Covid-19; Enhancing Innovative Partnerships to meet the Sustainable Development Goals”.
“This year’s Public Service Week in Lagos State will thus be focusing on the role of the public institutions and the public servants in building back better from the Corona Virus pandemic.
“This will be done while keeping the 2030 deadline for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in focus.
“Therefore, while Lagos State continues to enjoy national and international accolades as the Centre of Excellence by virtue of the high quality of its Public Servants in the mainstream, Parastatal Organizations as well as Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, it is my belief that this year’s celebration should serve to refocus our minds on the changes we all must continue to make to sustain our momentum of growth and development,” he said.
The HoS emphasised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s avowed commitment to the prioritization of staff matters, including the approval and hosting of the Public Service Week annually, was a recognition of the significant contributions of public servants to the numerous achievements of the government in Lagos State.
Programmes lined out for the one-week celebration included a Jumat Service and health screening for public servants to cover Blood Pressure, Cervical/Breast and Prostate Cancer between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 1
“On Saturday, 2nd July, 2022, there would be walk for fitness by public servants starting at exactly 7:00 a.m. The take-off point shall be Allen Round-About to Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja; On Sunday, 3rd July, 2022, an inter-denominational thanksgiving service will hold at the Chapel of Christ the Light, CBD, Alausa at 10:00 a.m. prompt
“On Monday, 4th July, 2022 would mark the presentation of gift items to Orphanages/Charity Organizations in Lagos State. On the same day, Health Screening Exercise shall continue at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“Tuesday, 5th July, 2022, the Marquee, Radio Lagos/Eko Fm Complex Lateef Jakande Road, Opposite Coca-Cola, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, will host the Annual Long Service Merit Awards ceremony to recognition and honour Public Servants who have diligently served the State for 30-35 years. The event is scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. prompt,” he said.
Muri-Okunola added that on Wednesday, 6th July, 2022, shall mark a special outing in which public servants across the State would have an opportunity to showcase various talents and other skills in a programme tagged “Alausa Got Talent Series IV – Africa Day”.
He said there would also be a public lecture at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, which would commence at 10:00 a.m, while the highlight of the event shall be a luncheon/recognition of outstanding officers by Sanwo-Olu, which is scheduled to hold at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja at 12:00 p.m.
Muri-Okunola enjoined all public servants to continue to discharge their duties and responsibilities diligently and efficiently.
“Let us eschew disloyalty, indiscipline, and nonchalant attitude to work which, invariably, results in low productivity. Let us rededicate and re-engineer ourselves in commitment to improved service delivery to the citizenry,” he said.