Francesca Odimgbe
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged state’s public servants to embrace technology, innovation and problem-solving approaches.
Also, offering similar advice is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Dr. Mariam Masha.
Both gave the advice at the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of the programme, organised by the Ministry of Establishments and Training noted that the success of the public sector accelerator programme would ultimately be measured by the changes they introduced in their workplaces.
Sanwo-Olu said the programme was designed to build a critical mass of highly skilled, motivated and innovative public officers capable of transforming the Lagos State Public Service.
He said the state government had continued to invest in workforce development because human capital remained critical to sustainable development.
Recalling his early years as Commissioner more than two decades, Sanwo-Olu said he witnessed efforts to transform the public service through capacity development and improved performance. He noted that deliberate investment in people could reposition public institutions and make them more responsive to citizens.
“The greatest thing to do is service. It is not only about being better than your colleagues, but about improving the process and developing the institution for the people,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the 100 participants to see their graduation as the beginning of greater responsibility, charging them to return to their ministries, departments and agencies with renewed commitment to improving processes and delivering better services.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, Dr. Mariam Masha called for greater innovation and problem-solving in the public service.
Representing the Office of the Vice President, Masha said the Solve for Service Challenge had enabled 10 teams to work on real service-delivery challenges over six weeks, developing practical, evidence-based solutions with the support of mentors and independent judges.
She urged public servants to continue questioning old processes and developing solutions that translate government policies into measurable results for citizens.
In his remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, said the programme demonstrated the administration’s commitment to developing a new generation of public servants equipped to meet emerging challenges.
Ayantayo said the programme provided participants with opportunities to acquire leadership skills, broaden their knowledge and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting the public service.