The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has called on civil servants to embody honesty, care, and professionalism.

Mr Hamzat stressed the importance of understanding their roles and administrative responsibilities.

He spoke on Monday at the 60th birthday and retirement thanksgiving service of Mobolaji Daba, the permanent secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa-Ikeja.

The deputy governor charged civil servants on the need to understand the system, the service, protocols, and the administrative tenets of being a public servant.

“You need to be very busy, you should be honest, caring, fair, and understand your role,” he said.

Mr Hamzat praised the Lagos State public service as one of the best in the world, citing its composed, organised, disciplined, and dedicated civil servants.

He emphasised that their unwavering commitment, institutional knowledge, and passion for service continue to drive the progress and development of the state.

The deputy governor described Daba as an embodiment of honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

“The celebrant is a very good person; she is honest, humble, cares about everybody that she works with, and she is a very intelligent person.

“She is a woman of integrity who takes her job seriously. When she says yes, it is a yes,” he said.

In his remarks, the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, described Ms Daba as a people-centric and compassionate individual who showed motherly love and care to everyone that came across her in the state public service.

“As an administrator and human resource professional, she exhibited utmost discipline, undiluted dedication, and an unwavering commitment,” he said.

He added that Ms Daba had uncommon courage to navigate the complexities of the state’s public service, the result of which led to her appointment as the permanent secretary.

Responding, Ms Daba urged civil servants to always remain at the top of their game.

She stressed the need to be knowledgeable, proactive, and fully understand the purpose and responsibilities of the public service, which is ultimately centred on serving the people.

Ms Daba emphasised that work ethics must be consciously taught and upheld in every workplace.

She noted that civil servants must be guided by strong ethical values, professionalism, and integrity in the discharge of their duties to sustain the credibility and effectiveness of the service. 

(NAN)