…assures of continued support, investment in workforce development

Lagos State Government on Tuesday honoured 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for their dedication and years of service at the 2026 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, with the assurance that the government will continue to build a culture where excellence is recognised, innovation is rewarded, and every officer understands that their work carries a direct responsibility to the people.

Speaking at the event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu commended the awardee for their dedication, perseverance, commitment, and professionalism over the years, describing their service as an important part of the institutional history of Lagos.

The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, assured public servants that the present administration, as well as successive governments, would continue to support them in the discharge of their responsibilities and commitment to effective service delivery and career development.

“I would say this honour belongs to you and to the people whose lives you have touched through your work. Thirty years, 31 years, and even more is a career spent showing up through changes in leadership, changes in technology, and changes in the very shape of the communities that you serve. So, let me tell you this: Lagos sees you. Lagos appreciates you. And let me assure you: this government will stand by you, and the government coming will stand by you,” he said.

The Governor noted that the Unified Local Government Service remains critical to the delivery of government at the grassroots, noting that residents interact with government most directly through the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas across the State.

Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu called for a stronger and more professionally equipped public service to keep pace with the State’s rapidly growing population and rising demand for government services, while urging younger officers to draw lessons from the careers of those being honoured.

Describing their decades of service as evidence that consistency, discipline and integrity could produce lasting impact, Sanwo-Olu said the experience of senior officers should be deliberately transferred to younger members of the workforce through mentorship, training and knowledge sharing, particularly as citizens increasingly demand faster, more transparent and digitally capable government services,

He added that the government will continue to invest in workforce development, including training programmes and the planned e-library, to equip public servants with the knowledge and skills required to respond effectively to emerging challenges.

In his Address, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, commended the State Government for sustaining the Long Service Merit Award, describing the recognition of officers who have dedicated over three decades to public service as a demonstration of the present administration’s commitment to rewarding selfless and effective service.

Congratulating the awardees for their dedication to responsibility and service to the people, Agoro charged down-line officers to remain committed to continuous learning and upskilling in response to emerging socio-economic realities, changing public policies and rapid technological advancement.

He urged public servants to prioritise their health because good health is the foundation of all happiness. “Endeavour to always leverage your Ilera Eko policy, visit your designated hospitals for frequent check-ups to ascertain your health status. Don’t forget that Government is contributing its part to this policy every month, while deduction is made from you as well,” he concluded.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana, described the 2026 Long Service Merit Award as a significant occasion for celebrating officers who have dedicated over three decades to serving Lagos State with diligence, resilience and professionalism.

Ogunlana commended the awardees for remaining steadfast through reforms and changes, while embracing new ways of working and mentoring younger officers, noting that their contributions had strengthened the growth, stability and effectiveness of the Unified Local Government Service.

She added that integrity, diligence, accountability and excellence remained important values that had contributed to the effectiveness of the public service and deserved to be encouraged among officers.

•PHOTO, L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje; Head of Service, Bode Agoro; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana and some recipients of the 2026 Long Service Merit Award for Unified Local Government Service, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday.

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