Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, has described his state’s public service as the most progressive in Nigeria.
Speaking on Tuesday during the opening session of the summit of Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS), Ambode said over the years, members of state’s civil service have contributed immensely to the growth of Lagos.
The summit was organised as part of activities marking the celebration of Lagos at 50.
“Today, the Lagos state public service has the reputation as the most progressive public service in Nigeria. This could not have been made possible without the solid foundation built by successive heads of service and permanent secretaries”, he said.
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He also noted that the state had evolved to become “the most prosperous state in Nigeria with a GDP more than that of several African countries put together”.
“l know this because I am one of you – a retired permanent secretary. Indeed, the Lagos state public service that emerged in 1967 under the leadership of Mr. H.E. Howson-Wright, the first Lagos state head of service, laid the foundation for a vibrant and purposeful bureaucracy which assisted the first military government led by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson to put the state on a right and solid footing,” he said.
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“The vision of excellence given birth to then has remained the same and continued to be the guiding light for generations.
“This shared vision, which is articulated in well thought-out policies and implemented with passion, patriotic zeal and sense of commitment is the Lagos we are celebrating today”.
He described the civil service as the engine room of government.
“While most civil servants are shielded from the public eye, they work tirelessly to formulate and implement policies which drive the government”, he said.
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Ambode urged retired heads of service and permanent secretaries to continue to add value to governance so as to uphold the excellence which the state is known for.
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