The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed delight that the reform of the state public service embarked upon by his administration is yielding desired results in efficient service delivery to the people.

In addition, he said that the effort has also led to a significant improvement in the ways and manners in which government policies and programmes are implemented in line with the vision of an all-inclusive government of the present administration.

The Governor made this known on Thursday at the pull-out ceremony organised in honour of the retiring Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, who disengaged from the State Public Service having served meritoriously for 22 years.

Ambode further disclosed that at inception of his administration 29 months ago, the State Government saw the need to reposition its public service to be more efficient in service delivery and drive its vision for a new Lagos that would meet the need and aspirations of the people in an emerging megacity.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, the Governor stated that the success that the public service reforms have brought would not have been possible but for the quality leadership of the retiring HOS, Mrs. Ademola whom, he said, dedicated her entire service life to a public service that would meet the need of its people.

“It is on record that during her tenure as the number one public servant of the state, she, alongside her team in the Body of Permanent Secretaries worked very hard to entrench the culture of innovation and creativity in the operations and working of government machinery. She was able to effectively deploy the authority of her office to facilitate the process of implementing policies and programmes of this administration,” he said.

While congratulating the outgoing HOS for living to the expectation of the state government, Ambode called on the incoming HOS, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, to take over the public service from where her predecessor stopped and move it forward to a greater height in service delivery to the people.

He, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of all public servants to the incoming HOS in the overall interest of achieving a purposeful and virile public service.

In her farewell remarks, the outgoing HOS stated that her successful retirement from service was a product of an effort by someone who was determined to achieve success in the face of any challenge, thanking government and people of the state for their support in the last two years of as the HOS.

Ademola, while emphasising the need for teamwork spirit in achieving set goals, urged officers in the public service to always carry their subordinates along in service matters, stressing that more could be achieved when we work together as a team than individuals.

She observed that man will face life challenges but that his ability to overcome such challenges makes history, therefore advising civil servants not to be discouraged or lose hope in the face of any challenge.