The Lagos State Government has appointed six new permanent secretaries, bringing the number appointed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since assuming office to 135, the state Head of Service, Bode Agoro, has said.
Agoro disclosed this on Monday at the swearing-in ceremony for the six officials and members of the Local Government Service Commission and the Audit Service Commission at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
He said the latest appointments followed what he described as a rigorous and transparent selection process, adding that the new permanent secretaries were expected to strengthen the state’s public service and support the implementation of government policies.
“These permanent secretaries, I would like to refer to as G6, were carefully selected from the list of successful candidates who had gone through a rigorous, robust and transparent selection process,” Agoro said.
The Head of Service said the appointments reflected the administration’s commitment to merit, professionalism, accountability and transparency, although he did not disclose the number of candidates who competed for the positions or the criteria used to select the six officials.
He told the new appointees that their elevation came with greater responsibility and urged them to contribute meaningfully to the administration’s programmes, regardless of the ministries to which they would be deployed.
- “Regardless of the ministries of your deployment, as it will be announced during Mr Governor’s speech, you must make a positive impact, as you are expected to continue your meaningful contributions to the plans and programmes of the present administration,” he said.
Agoro also reminded the new permanent secretaries that seniority within the body of permanent secretaries would apply to them, describing the latest entrants as the most junior officials in the cadre.
Please note that in Lagos State, there is seniority in the body of permanent secretaries, so as you come in, you are the most junior and will be commonly referred to as Jambites,” he said.
The appointments come as permanent secretaries occupy senior administrative positions in the state civil service, with responsibilities for coordinating ministry operations, implementing government policies and ensuring continuity in public administration.
Agoro said he had interacted with the appointees on several occasions and found them enthusiastic about contributing to the development of the public service and Lagos State.
He also appealed to their families to support them as they assumed their new responsibilities, noting that the demands of their offices would require understanding and encouragement at home.
The ceremony also featured the swearing-in of members of the Local Government Service Commission and the Audit Service Commission.
