Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
6th December, 2022
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday sent off 19 Permanent Secretaries who retired from the civil service between January and December 2022.
They were sent off at a grand ceremony, tagged: “Pens Down” at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja where hundreds of well-wishers gathered to felicitate with them.
Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, at the ceremony said the retirees should be commended for keeping afloat the THEMES Agenda of the present administration in Lagos State.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle, said all the retiring Permanent Secretaries, no doubt contributed to the success stories of the present administration in the past three and half years in the State.
Hamzat said, though, it was not an easy task, he thanked God for keeping their lives to this present moment, adding that they should not hesitate to heed government’s call anytime they were called upon to do so.
“Let me use this opportunity to say that in the past three and half years, all of you retirees immensely contributed to the success of the THEMES Agenda of the present administration. Be it in the education sector, health, Infrastructure, environment, road rehabilitation and construction and so on,” he said.
Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated that all retirees contributed diligently to the growth and advancement of Lagos State, thanking them for their loyalty, commitment, dedication and untold sacrifices through the years.
He, however, reminded the retirees that the Pens down ceremony opened a new vista of opportunities for them to explore, adding that as they moved on to the next phase of their lives and new endeavours, they should remember to keep in touch with the Post Service Directorate in the Public Service Office to know how they were faring.
Muri-Okunola appealed that they should ensure that they avail themselves of the services of the state government when called upon to do so.
“I have no doubts in my mind that you will deploy your skills, wide knowledge and extensive administrative and management experience garnered over the years to continue to add value to yourselves, your communities and to Lagos State as a whole.
“As the the newest members of the Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Lagos State, the government will continue to look forward to benefiting from your vast reservoirs of experience and knowledge, especially in policy formulation and implementation, in order to continue to move the State forward,” Muri-Okunola said.
He also reminded them to pay attention to their personal health and wellness.
Muri-Okunola thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his magnanimity in granting approval for the programme, especially given the enormity of the challenges that the state government is confronted with presently.
He added that “it is a testament and a re-affirmation to Mr. Governor’s avowed personal commitment to prioritization of staff welfare matters, a gesture that all of us, serving and retired, shall continue to reciprocate by rededicating ourselves to the service of the state, individually and collectively.”
Responding on behalf of the retirees, Margaret Titilayo Solarin, the immediate past Permanent Secretary/ Tutor General, Education District 1, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for allowing them to serve, just as she thanked God for sparing their lives till this moment.
The 19 retired Permanent Secretaries include Mr. Isaac Olusina Thorpe, Mr .Wasiu Adedamola Akewusola, Eng. Moroof Olawale Agoro, Mrs Olusola Oduguwa, Mr Samson Olusegun Ajibade, Mr Sunday Agboade Jokotola, Mrs Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, Mr Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, Mrs Kikelomo Morenike Sanyaolu, Mrs Toyin Olamide Machado- Onanuga, Mrs Margaret Titilayo Solarin, Mr Olaolu Olujimi Ige, Mr Sikiru Adeniji Salami, Mrs Adetutu Abiola Liadi, among others.
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