December 12, 2014 – Not less than thirteen Permanent Secretaries have retired from the Lagos State Public Service. They retired between January 23rd and December 8, 2014.
Out of the thirteen, 12 retired statutorily by attaining the mandatory 60 years of age or have spent a total of 35 years in service, while Mr. Hassan Mubashiru Mohammed from office of Auditor General, Local Governments retired voluntarily.
They include Dr. Femi Olugbile who wrote scripts for the very popular soap, Village Head Master which ran for several seasons on the network of the Nigerian Television Authority(NTA). He retired as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.
Others are Mrs. Olatunji Rafait Olurunilayo from Health Service Commission, Dr. Awonuga Abiola Olawunmi, office of Sports, Mrs. Ojosipe-Ogundimu Jokotola, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Obajimi Ayobade Baiyeselu, Education District IV, Dr. Onanuga Olufemi Oludayo, Special Services, Mr. Akapo Samuel Oyetola, Liason Office, Abuja, Mrs. Akiyode Risikat Titilayo Women Affairs, Mr. Agoro Olatunde Idowu, Rural Development, Mrs. Ajayi Yetunde Oluwatoyin, Physical Planning , Mr. Odujoko Frederick Ademola, Cabinet Office and Dr. Balogun Ahmid Okanla, Health Service Commission .
Speaking at the ceremony which had Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire in attendance, Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams noted that several years ago, swearing-in of Permanent Secretaries came with a lot of pomp and pageantry but that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola turned it to a quite and solemn ceremony in the belief that such appointment comes with greater responsibility.
She described the retirees as technocrats that contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Lagos and have retired without blemish.
She explained that as members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, which is one of the think-tank of the Lagos State Government, they toiled day and night to ensure effective, efficient and excellent service delivery to the good people of Lagos State.
“Their qualitative and valuable contributions to issues and discussion on how best to deliver on government policies and programme are highly commendable and worthy of emulation”, she said.
She described the retirees as heroes and heroines who are testimonials of invaluable contributions and accomplishments in Lagos State.
She enjoined officers who are still in service to borrow a leaf from the good attributes of the officers by rendering selfless service to the people of Lagos State.
