The Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, celebrated the exceptional careers of 12 retired Permanent Secretaries during a Pens Down Ceremony held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
The event, marked with grandeur and reflection, was attended by key figures in the state’s public service and government officials.
In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, described the occasion as a unique celebration of distinguished public service careers spanning several decades.
He commended the retirees for their unblemished service, unwavering dedication, and invaluable contributions to the development of Lagos State.
“Today is a special day as we celebrate your remarkable achievements and thank Almighty God for granting you the grace to retire in good health and sound mind,” Mr. Agoro stated.
The Head of Service assured the retirees that their expertise would remain valuable to the state, encouraging them to maintain ties with the Post Service Directorate and the Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS), emphasising their potential to contribute further when called upon.
Agoro appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support for the public service, particularly in creating a transparent system that allowed officers to excel without external interference.
He urged serving and aspiring Permanent Secretaries to uphold the ethos of honesty, integrity, hard work, and service excellence that define the Lagos State Public Service.
In his words: “I wish to implore you all, along with the many potential Permanent Secretaries here present and others that may not be here right now, to remain committed to the well-tested values, ethos and traditions of honesty, probity, transparency, integrity, hard work and service excellence that has characterized the Lagos State Public Service.
“In addition to providing the critical support that the State Government expects of you in the area of effective policy formulation, development and implementation, you must be mindful of the burden of maintaining the leadership position of the State Public Service in providing a top-notch Public Service while leading your Officers and Staff by example with love and compassion.”
