2021 Public Service Week celebration will be remarkable – Muri-Okunola
By Rasaq Adebayo
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has disclosed a grand preparation by the Lagos State Government to make this year’s Public Service Week celebration a remarkable and extraordinary event for the civil servants.
Muri-Okunola made this known at the 2021 Public Service Press Conference, held on Wednesday at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
He emphasized that this year’s Public Service Week shall be a little bit remarkable and extraordinary due to the fact that “we were unable to organise it last year’s own due to prevalence of COVID-19, which disrupted a lot of scheduled events and activities throughout the world.
“Let me assure all of us and indeed all Lagosians that this year’s 2021 Public Service Week celebration is going to be remarkable and extra-Ordinary. As we may recall, the Y2020 edition could not hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted a lot of scheduled events/activities throughout the world, causing imposition of restrictions and guidelines to curtail the spread. We thank God for the grace and privilege to organize the event this year, while mindful of ensuring compliance with all necessary safety protocols,” he said.
He maintained that this year’s celebration with the theme “Building the Africa we want through embracing an ethical culture that underpins purpose-driven leadership in the context of a crises” was set aside to recognize the contributions of civil servants to humanity as well as acknowledging and appreciating workers in the public service for their various contributions towards essential and critical public service delivery.
To mark the the day, Nigeria has chosen the theme “Deploying Technology to Sustain and Enhance Service Delivery in the face of the Challenging COVID- I9 Pandemic Climate”.
He recalled that the Public Service Day celebration was introduced in 1994 following the resolution of Conference of African Ministers of Civil Service, which expects all African countries to set aside 23rd June of every year, as the Public Service Day to recognize the contributions of Civil servants to humanity.
He said this year’s celebration, which would make the occasion twentieth in
the series, would begin on Friday, 25th June with health matters at Adeyemo Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, where workers would be opportune to know their health status and special Jumat service at Alausa Secretariat Mosque.
The Day 2, Saturday 26th June of the event will feature a walk-for-fitness by all public servants, while Day 3, Sunday 27th June will feature Interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Chapel of Christ the Light, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja.
Accordibg yo him on Day 4, Monday 28th June, 2021, various gifts items which were contributed by public servants, MDAs and private sector organisations will be presented to Orphanages and Charity homes.
He said the Long Service Merit Award Ceremony will take place on Day 5, Tuesday 29th June while Thursday 1st July will feature Alausa Got Talent Season III Variety Show in which various prizes would be won.
He, however, related that the climax of the event shall be hosted by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, on Tuesday, 6th July 2021, where recipients of the best officers Award in the Senior and Junior categories for Y2019 and Y2020 in all MDAs/LGAs and LCDAs will be honoured at a luncheon with the Governor.
Muri-Okunola acknowledged and thanked all the sponsors and corporate partners who have supported the state with various gift items and donations, while soliciting further support and cooperation of all the public servants to make the occasion successful.
