Kunle Adelabu
-Abatan, Odumbo get historic public service excellence award
Public servants in the Federal, State and Local Government levels have been charged to be mindful of changes in Ikorodu Division and work towards sustaining the momentum of its growth and development.
The Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, who himself is a retired public servant, gave the charge during the Public Service Day which was part of the events of the just concluded 31st Ikorodu – Oga Day.
At the event, which was held at the Arch. Olutusen Onafowokan Auditoroum, Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, Ikorodu, on Friday, November 18, 2022, awards of Excellence were presented to outstanding public servants, including senior lecturer, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU),Ojo, Dr Abiodun Fatai – Abatan and Principal, LASU International Staff School, Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, both of whom emerged as first public officers from the state University to be honoured since Public Service Day has been made part of the annual celebrations.
This year’s celebration was themed: “Public Service and Community Development: Changing the Narrative of Yesterday”, a topic that Mr Lanre Kuye, the Director, Information & Public Relations, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), spoke on as the guest speaker.
Also honored were Mr Odusanya Adebayo Ayodeji, Permanent Secretary, Office of Works, Ministry of Works & Infrastructure; Mrs Adetutu Oluremi Ososanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Builder Adeola Adebisi Banjo, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu- North Local Council Development Area; Dr. Oluremi Nurudeen Olaleye, Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo and Mr. Bolaji Orenuga, General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Others were: Mr. Bello Oladimeji Akeem, Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu; Mr. Sheriff Akinjide Akinpelu, Director Admin & Human Resource, Lagos Water Corporation; Prince Tawio Odumbo (ACIPM), Principal, Lagos State University International School, Ojo; Mr. Abidemi Odusanya, Office of the Head of Service; Monsurat Oluwatoyin Kasali, retired Principal, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission; Shotonwa Titilayo Ayoola, retired General Manager, Lagos State Radio Service (Radio Lagos/ Eko FM); Comrade Okeowo Kehinde Olusola, retired Community Health Officer, Unionist and Community Builder, the Initiator of Ikorodu – Oga Public Service/ Loxal Government Day and Coordinator, Ikorodu Division Public Service Forum.
Also, the Ijede Local Council Development Area was honoured with the Best Supportive Local Government Public Service Award.
Erogbogbo, while charging the public servants, said that the theme of this year’s public service celebration was aimed at bringing about cooperation between the IKODASS and public service system in developing Ikorodu.
“The theme of this year’s celebration, “Public Service and Community Development: Changing the Narrative of Yesterday”, is focused on enhancing the innovative partnership between the Ikorodu- Oga Development Association and the public service”, he said.
“This year’s celebration should be used to refocus public servants on the changes within the divisions in order to sustain the momentum of growth and development in lkorodu.
He assured that the socio – cultural, economic and developmental organization shall continue to support public servant’s development.
“IKODASS shall continue to strategically support the public service sector with capacity enhancing interventions just like we did with the teachers. In this vein, we would encourage the revitalization of Ikorodu Public Service Forum to foster networking and continued development among ikorodu public servants”, he said.
“I, therefore, enjoin you to rise to the occasion by proffering innovation solutions not only to present problems, but proactively finding solutions to emerging challenges.
“I charge you, public servants of lkorodu extraction, to be good ambassadors of our city and maintain the exemplary leadership for which we are known”.
The IKODASS Chairman also said that the annual Public Service Day is in recognition of role of the public officers.
“Today, we celebrate the annual public service day which brings to the fore the critical role being played by the public service as the engine room of government and principal facilitator in the delivery of the good governance”, he said.
“The Public Service Day primarily aims at highlighting and appreciating the value and contributions of public institutions and the public service in the development of the community and Nation building as a whole”.
Erogbogbo charged public servants honoured to continue to dedicate themselves to best practice which, according to him, made them to be singled out for the awards.
“To the recipient of today’s awards; you have been found worthy amidst several others. I, therefore, urge you to remain committed and continue to exhibit the time- tested ethos, traditions and values of probity honesty, transparency, integrity, hard work and excellent service delivery for which Ikorodu is known for”, he charged.
Mr Adeniran Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, who chaired the occasion, commended the public servants for their roles in developing the state and charged them to continue to rededicate themselves to service in the interest of the public.
He also congratulated the awardees.
