Be proactive in policy formulation, HoS charges newly inducted permanent secretaries, accounting officers

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri- Okunola, has charged the newly inducted Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers of Agencies in the State Public Service to see their positions as trust and responsibilities that come with high expectations, and justify the confidence reposed in them by the Governor. Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu before their appointment.

Speaking at the Induction ceremony organized through Zoom Webinar, the Head of Service noted that, as highly experienced senior public servants and Accounting Officers of respective Agencies, they should realise that the responsibilities of providing leadership and direction for those Agencies rests squarely on their shoulders, adding that the induction ceremony was aimed at familiarizing them with the nature, character and demands of the offices they would be managing.

Muri-Okunola, however charged them to be proactive in discharging their duties, saying their Principals; Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Honourable Commissioners and Special Advisers, including Chairmen and Members of Boards, Commissions or Governing Councils as the case may be, are looking forward to them for advice and guidance on issues relating to the Ministerial mandate of their respective Agencies or Parastatal Organizations, just as the Senior Management Staff and other officers look up to them as leaders in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities on daily basis.

He said it is very important for them to realize that their actions, decisions, comments, utterances and directives have far reaching implications, not only on the directive principles of State Policies and Government business, but on the lives of all members of staff, adding that they were part of the State Executive Council in their stead to make contributions to policy formulation at the highest level of governance which also requires excellent management of human and material resources.

Earlier in his presentation with the topic “The Role of Accounting Officers in the Actualization of Assignment of Ministerial Responsibilities”, Mr. Bashir Braimoh (rtd), Permanent Secretary (Public Service Office) implored the inductees to adequately manage effectively the resources committed to their care in order to achieve the T.H.E.M.E.S  Agenda of the present administration.

He pointed out that the way forward is to embrace multi sectoral synergy approach and be abreast of all the  functions, processes as well as procedures of governance as this would enhance productivity and  service delivery to the populace.

While delivering his papers at the induction ceremony on the topic “The Role of Accounting Officers in Effective Delivery of Assignment of Ministerial Responsibilities -The Establishment and Human Resource Perspective”, the Permanent Secretary, office of Establishment and Training, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, stated that Establishment and Human Resource Matters are essential ingredients for effective employee management which has to do with salaries and allowances, conditions of service, rules and regulations, schemes of service, industrial relations, personnel records and pension administration, adding that as an Accounting Officer, a huge responsibility of delivering the greatest good and usefulness for the greatest number is thrust on them.

Bamgboye maintained that good leadership character, decisions, delegation, team work, monitoring, motivation, discipline, evaluation and effective communication have great influence on productivity as well as effective delivery of assignment of Ministerial Responsibilities.

He urged Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers of Agencies in the State Public Service to always support the general policies, priorities and interests of the government of the day and as well cooperate within the context of established management practices and procedures adding that they should consult with relevant MDAs on any point requiring professional and technical advice/guidance.

The moderator during the webinar, Director General, Public Service Staff Development Centre, Mr. Senukon Ajose-Harrison appreciated the efforts of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring that despite the challenges posted by the COVID-19 pandemic, various  opportunities and platforms were provided for Principal Officers and Civil Servants to engage in interactions and conversations geared towards moving the state forward which adheres to safety protocols as laid down by the Government.