By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Wednesday, at an elaborate event, swore-in 19 new Permanent Secretaries, while charging them to entrench the principles of civil service and good governance as well as eschew compromise in the discharge of their duties to the people.

From left: Mr. Fola Adeyemi in handshake with Gov. Akinwunmi
Ambode of Lagos state, during the swearing-in of new Permanent
secretaries , at Lagos House, ikeja, on. 05/08/2015. Photo: Bunmi
Azeez

The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, made up of 10 females and 9 males, and charged with the following portfolio ministries are: Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye, Permanent Secretary, Office of Civic Engagement; Mr. Folarin Adeyemi, Information and Strategy; Mr. Olabode Agoro, Lands Bureau; Mrs. Ayodele Amosu, Teachers Establishment and Pension Office;

Mrs Abiola Anifowoshe, Education District VI; Mrs, Olabisi Ariyo, Education; Mr. Caster Bade-Adebowale, Office of the Chief of Staff; Dr, Boladele Dapo-Thomas, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation;  Mrs Adebisi Kadiri, Economic Planning and Budget; Mr. Olorunfemi Mustapha, Science and Technology;

Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, Public Service Office; Mrs, Arinola  Odulana, Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment; Mrs Adesola Odunlami, Justice; Olusola Odupitan, Audit Service Commission; Mrs Olanike Oduwole, Wealth Creation and Employment; Adesina Onisarotu, Environment and Dr. Nuriat Sodeinde, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations.

A Cross section of Newly Permanent secretaries , during
the swearing-in of new Permanent secretaries , at Lagos House, ikeja,
on. 05/08/2015. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

In his short address at the ceremony at the State House, Ikeja, Ambode said the quality of service that would be delivered by this government would be measured on daily basis and that the Permanent secretary would be held responsible for any ministry found wanting.

According to him; “Any ministry where the quality of service is compromised, the Permanent Secretary, as Accounting Officer, should be held liable. I expect nothing but excellence in this centre of excellence.

“I expect you to apply the best tenets of the civil service in your roles as accounting officers of your ministry. Your primary allegiance is to the people of Lagos State and i want you to rededicate yourself to duty and make the common good of all Lagosians your watchwords.”

He said their appointments from a pool of equally competent and qualified substantive directors, was as a result of a careful selection based on merit, professionalism and proven track record of service to the state. Ambode recalled that he promised, in his inaugural address, to carry out public sector reforms which had witnessed merging and realignment of ministries and agencies as well as the creation of new ones.

“We have established the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, the Overseas Affairs and Investment and the Office of Civic Engagement. These are in line with our campaign promises to run an inclusive government and create better opportunities for our people,” he said.

From left: Mrs. Olubunmi Adekanye, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, Mr.
Olabode Agoro, Mrs. Ayodele Sewanu Amosu and Mrs. Amidat Anifowoshe,
during the swearing-in of new Permanent secretaries , at Lagos House,
ikeja, on. 05/08/2015. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

According to him, this phase has also witnessed the realignment of parastatals/agencies reporting through their superintending ministries to the governor. In all, he urged them to be committed to the principles of good governance, probity, transparency and accountability.

Ambode disclosed that the next phase was the constitution of cabinet to consolidate on the foundation that had been laid in the last 60 days.

Responding on behalf of others, Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye, Permanent Secretary, Office of Civic Engagement, pledged that she and her colleagues would work hard to deliver quality service that would move Lagos to the next level. She however called for the support and cooperation of all her co-appointees to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

“We are pledging that we will not disappoint you on the confidence reposed in us. We will carry-out our work diligently to achieve good success. We pray that Lagos will move forward,” she said.