Lagos State Swears-In New Permanent Secretaries

The Lagos State Government has promoted eight of its directors to the post of Permanent Secretary, in order to beef up its service delivery and improve efficiency in its civil service.
This brings to 54, the number of Permanent Secretaries administering the State’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Permanent Secretaries, who were selected out of those that contested for the position are, Engineer Olujimi Hotonu, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adegbuji Onikoyi, Mrs Jokotola Ojosipe- Ogundimu and Mr Michael Dawodu.
The newly appointed Tutors-General are Mrs Florence Ogunfidodo, Mr Yinka Gbemi Olaniyi and Mrs Margaret Solarin as well as Dr Olukayode Oguntimehin who had been appointed since August 2, 2013.
The Governor, Babatunde Fashola, while swearing in the new Permanent Secretaries at the Lagos House, Ikeja, urged them to be of good behaviour to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He explained that the process that led to the appointments has been driven by merit. The process saw examinations written by all directors who were eligible, as well as interviews, both written and oral. He added that among the appointees are Lagos indigenes and non-indigenes, which is “a reinforcement of the belief that if everybody is allowed to compete, all would be well.”
“Interestingly also, it has addressed the issue of gender. We have four women and we have four men. I am sure our women can compete and what we must not do is to close the door of competition on their faces. This process has demonstrated that”, he added.
Governor Fashola also said that the latest appointment has also taken cognizance of infrastructure, with the inclusion of personnel in engineering, public accounting and general administration.
While welcoming the new Permanent Secretaries into leadership responsibilities, the Governor reminded them of the oath that they have taken before man and before God, emphasizing that the people of Lagos would hold them accountable with those oaths especially those parts that say they would put public interest above their own interest.
He also appealed to the family and relatives of the new appointees not to be the source of pressure upon them that may lead them to breach their oath of office.
Earlier, while presenting the new appointees, the Head of Service, Mrs Seyi Williams, thanked the Governor on behalf of the members of the Standing Committee on Appointment of Permanent Secretaries, for his insistence on giving credence to exemplary performance and merit as some of the core criteria for elevation into appointive posts in the Public Service.
In his vote of assurance on behalf of the new Permanent Secretaries, Dr Olukayode Oguntimehin thanked the Governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the State, saying that they would discharge their responsibilities adequately and responsibly.
The event was witnessed by many dignitaries including a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice George Oguntade, members of the body of Permanent Secretaries, families and relatives of the new appointees.