2020 International Public Service Day: Lagos HoS Commends Public Servants

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri- Okunola, has commended all Public Servants on the occasion of the Y2020 International Public Service Day, in recognition of their valuable service to humanity and contributions to the growth and development of the State.

In a statement issued by his Office, Muri-Okunola affirmed that the Public Service Day, which is commemorated worldwide on 23rd June, remains an important date globally and celebrated every year in Lagos State since 2001, saying that the theme for this year’s celebration “Action Today, Impact Tomorrow: Innovating & Transforming Public Services and Institutions to Realise the Sustainable Development Goals” is apt at this time when a pandemic is being experienced across the globe.

According to him, the Lagos State Public Service has put in place various policy initiatives aimed at stimulating and accelerating innovation across the State towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He listed some of the achievements recorded by the Lagos State Public Service in recent years to include the professionalisation of Human Resource Management (HRM); establishment of the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation, as well as other service institutions, to further entrench the culture of creativity and innovation service-wide; completion of Phase II implementation of Service Charter with 14 additional MDAs achieving Charter Status; hosting the Art of Technology Lagos 1.0 & 2.0 Conferences and the launch of a Solution Hub where Innovative Ideas may be submitted electronically.

Others include integrating corporate planning in the overall reform programme in Lagos State, sharing platform tagged “Short Impact Interactive Focused Transformational (S.H.I.F.T) Initiative” designed to promote creative/innovative ideas of public servants as a motivational tool to transform the Public Service and, ultimately, enhance public service delivery.

The Head of Service appreciated the commitment of the present administration for ensuring a conducive working environment in the State Public Service through the procurement of adequate tools, including motor vehicles, for the use of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as for Principal Officers of government.

While expressing his profound gratitude to all the frontline medical personnel who continue to bravely lead the way in the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, he maintained that their commitment and dedication to duty has simply been exemplary as they uphold the ethos, ethics and best traditions of public service in the discharge of their daily tasks.

Muri-Okunola stressed that the Public Service remains the most viable instrument available all over the world for the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of the government, charging all Public Servants to avail themselves of opportunities that the Service provides to deepen and expand their knowledge.

He also enjoined all Public Servants to rise to the occasion in proffering innovative solutions, not only to present problems but proactively towards addressing future challenges in all areas of Public Service.