The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode has given assurances that the State Government would continue to give utmost priority to training and re-training of its staff to keep them abreast of global best practices in service delivery.
He gave this assurances on Tuesday, during the commencement of a two-day in-house training programme organised by the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for members of staff, at the Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Mosque Hall, Ikeja.
Layode said the training was in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the State Government. He stated that it was designed to further enrich the knowledge of the staff, especially the Schedule Officers (Local Government Coordinators) to adequately prepare them for the Y2025 Hajj and Umrah operations both in Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Commissioner also cautioned the participants against revealing official secrets. “I beseech all participants to remember the Oath of Secrecy which bound all officers from revealing official matters without authorization. It is expected of all staff to keep the government’s secret secret”, he said.
Speaking on the central theme of the training: ‘Work Ethics/Rudiments of Hajj and Umrah Operations’, Layode emphasised that the topics were carefully considered to address the various issues and challenges that constantly cropped up during the pilgrimage exercises both in Nigeria and the Holy land.
He expressed his confidence in the ability of the facilitators to deliver on the topics. He said, “I do not doubt that the facilitators, Mr. Muftau Okoya and Mr. Rahman Ishola (both former Board Secretaries) are well grounded to do justice to the topics and adequately prepare our officers for the task ahead”.
While urging the participants to see the training as an avenue to further broaden their knowledge about new trends in Hajj and Umrah administrations, the Commissioner encouraged them to tap from the wealth of experience of the facilitators, who are seasoned administrators in their rights, to deploy the same in their future official assignments.
Hon. Layode also used the opportunity to express his sincere gratitude to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their unflinching support and encouragement during the previous Hajj operations. As the Board commences the 2025 Hajj and Umrah exercises, he expressed optimism that the Government would continue to extend its assistance towards ensuring a successful operation.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adewunmi Gbolahan Ogunsanya, Board Chairman, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Ayinde Gafar, represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Faosat Dabiri (Lagos division) and the Board Secretary, Mr. Saheed Onipede were in attendance.
Other Government functionaries present at the opening ceremony include Hon. Waheed Lolade Shonibare (Ikeja division), Alh. Yusuf Ara (Epe division) and Secretary, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mrs. Yetunde Gbafe.
