By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO
LAGOS— Heads of Service (HOS) from the South-West geo-political zone have stressed the need for states in Nigeria to collaborate and agree on common position in handling matters of minimum wage and other labour related issues.

They spoke yesterday at the opening ceremony of the inaugural edition of the meeting of HOS in the South West geo-political zone, with the theme; “Towards a Transformed Public Service: Collaborating for Enhanced Efficiency and Effectiveness”, hosted by Lagos.

Ondo State Head of Service, Mr. Ajose Keduhinbu in his remarks, stressed the need for the zone to come together and chart a common way to tackle agitations by labour for wage increase.

Keduhinbu added that Lagos being the richest state in the zone could adopt its model in management of labour-related issues.

His Ekiti state counterpart, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya said regional integration was paramount to the south west states and called for peer review between states in the zone.

According to Famosaya: “There is a need to find out what others are doing that some of us are not doing. By this way, we can chart a common course and speak as one”.

Osun Head of Service, Mr. Segun Akinwusi who corroborated that regional integration will afford the zone a forum that will afford the States Public Service, take a firm decision on issues affecting them.

Head of Service in Oyo state, Tajudeen Aremu noted that the state was still in the stage of correcting the wrongs made by the past administration expressing optimism that the summit would benefit the state in no small way.

Lagos Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe in his address, noted that the three-day summit was expedient to chart a new part for improved civil/public service that will not only operate in line with best practices but will also insist on international standards.

Ogunlewe, said the summit would also serve as the bedrock for redefining the excelling spirit and team work which were the hallmark of the achievements of the old Western Region.

He added that some topical issues on the Lagos experience in revenue drive; supporting governance reforms, providing leadership and direction in public service for good governance, public-private partnership to Fund the gap in infrastructure renewal process will be deliberated upon to move the South West Zone forward.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State in his address noted that the civil service has continuously served as the fulcrum and engine room of service delivery to the citizens for the socio economic development of society.