The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has called on all Public Servants in the State to rededicate themselves to quality service delivery, just as he urged them to adhere strictly to personal safety protocols and guidelines as prescribed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

The HoS made the call in his address during the virtual Y2021 First Work-Day Inter-Religious prayer session for all Public Servants in the State via Zoom platform and organised by the Office of the Head of Service.

He noted the importance of the annual practice of beginning the new year in the spirit of worship and thanksgiving for God’s guidance and protection, expressing his excitement at seeing everybody despite the several challenges faced by all of humanity across the globe in Y2020.

“It is the totality of individual goals and departmental targets achieved that translates into the attainment of ministerial mandates service-wide, which in turn determine the success or otherwise of Government’s policies”, Muri-Okunola said.

While charging all employees to work harder towards implementing government’s policies and programmes as well as achieving the shared vision of a more habitable city and a smarter Lagos, the HoS reflected on the challenges faced by the State during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020, noting that there was almost total shut down of the economy as no aspect of life was left untouched in Lagos.

In his words, “The reality today, unfortunately, is that the COVID-19 pandemic is not just still very much with us, but the possibility of another lockdown looms very large, the ultimate determination of which would be based on the realities of the next few weeks”.

“Going forward, it is important to emphasise that we are not yet out of the woods. We cannot yet afford to let our guards down. It is not yet Uhuru and much still needs to be accomplished. It is in this regard that the Government has further strengthened arrangements for testing, treatment and enforcement of protocols aimed at curtailing the spread of the disease”, he added.

The HoS maintained that all workers should embrace the new innovative ideas and opportunities that were adopted during the pandemic such as the use of online communication platform, Zoom, which has not only facilitated more effective communication generally, but has also resulted in widespread digital education among a large segment of the population, including children.

He averred that Mr. Governor’s inauguration of the “Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund Board of Trustees” has signalled the commencement of the process of rebuilding the city, saying that what is most important is the need for rededication to duties as part of the overall task of rebuilding Lagos.

He appreciated Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State and Incident Commander, Lagos State COVID-19 Task Force, for prioritising the welfare and safety of the State’s workforce, stressing that despite the State’s lean resources, salaries were paid as and when due, and no staff was denied any entitlement including promotion, even while the majority of staff worked remotely.

Muri-Okunola also assured all Lagosians that government shall continue with its renewal of social infrastructure and road maintenance, as well as improving the education sector, healthcare service delivery system, the inter-modal transportation network and enhancing women and youth empowerment.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade, appreciated God for the grace and opportunity granted to witness the Year 2021.

He commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the entire Executive Members, Judiciary, the Legislative Arms of Government and the entire Body of Permanent Secretaries for their support and commitment to ensuring the development of the State.

The Clerics present during the virtual Y2021 First Work-Day Inter-Religious prayer session for all Public Servants in the State include the Presiding Chaplain, Chapel of Christ the Light, Venerable Ezekiel Oluwadare; The Chaplain, Chapel of Christ the Light, Rev (Dr.) Dele Ajayi; The President, Lagos State Public Service Christian Fellowship, Pastor Adegbola Arole; Imaam Hakeem Kosoko, Imaam Abdul-Roqeeb Adegbenro Adekunle and Imaam Olohungbebe Soliu Ibrahim all of the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.