Lagos PS Engages Public Servants From Igbogbo On 21st Century Career

Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye

The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Local Government Establishment, Training & Pension, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, has charged public servants from Igbogbo to think critically and be smart in their decisions, if they are to go far in their career.

Bamgboye who also charged them on the need to communicate effectively and engage in self – development.
He spoke at the 3rd edition of the Public Service Day which was part of the activities lined – up for commemoration of the 2022 Igbogbo Day.

The this year’s edition of the annual celebration also marks the 6th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Barr. Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, who was present at the event with his two wives.

Bamgboye, who was the guest lecturer at the event, spoke on the theme: ‘Building a 21st Century Career In Public Service’, at the event held at the Conference Hall of the De – Shokis Hotel, Igbogbo, on Friday, November 18, 2022.

“The 21st century Public Servants must, among others things, think critically and make SMART decisions; communicate regularly and clearly; invest in career and self development as well as develop people; be a team player – courteous, fair and firm; leverage on technology and be accountable and take responsibility”, Mr Bamgboye said.

Speaking on the dynamics of the 21st century public service delivery, the Permanent Secretary listed Changing demographic profile; Emphasis on shared services (Enterprise Architecture Initiative) in the face of continued rapid advances in science and technology; Pressure on the public service to deliver vis – a vis diverse contending constraints; Threat to personal and national security vis – a – vis maintaining the quality of life of citizens and Global competition among various economies –interdependence of business , industries, markets for products and services – civil societies and governments, as some of the factors.

He charged public servants that they must possess some characteristics if they must survive in the 21st century public service. Some of what he expected of public servants are: Municipal entrepreneur – ability to undertake wide range of roles, Ability to engage citizens – partnerships and inclusiveness; Combining generic skills – communication, emotional intelligence, team dynamics and professional skills; Competence across sectors and services through action learning, mentoring, job shadowing and deployments and Expertise in public sector ideology and principles of communication.

Bamgboye also listed “Strategic vision for change; Fluidity and support for intra – /inter – agencies collaboration; Collaboration models of leadership; Sense of loyalty and identity with the establishment and its locality and Practicing and learning from others”, as characteristics of the 21st century public service career.

The President, Conference of Igbogbo Indigenes in Public Service (COIIPS), Mr Gbenga Ogunlewe, said that the objective of the organization is to connect and unite all Igbogbo indigenes in public service at the Local, State and Federal, for the purpose of harnessing individual strength to assist one another.

While also adding that COIIPS is also focusing on using members’ influence in advancing progress and development of Igbogbo and Ikorodu Division in general, Ogunlewe added that knowledge and experience acquisition are also key to the body.

“Tapping of knowledge and experience are another major reasons the organisation was established, and our father – Aremo Adesegun Ogunlewe, the former Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary, Office of Special Adviser on Education, and Mrs. Kemi Kalesanwo, the Director, Agency for Mass Education, have been playing the significant roles in this regard as they were one time guest speakers in the previous Public Service Day held in the past”, he said.

“This year’s edition with the theme, ‘Building a 21st Century Career in Public Service’, is aimed at discussing the relevance of the 21st Century skill in Public Service to enhance our knowledge, skills, work habits and character traits that are crucial to success in today’s world, particularly in collegiate programs and modern careers and workplace”.

“You would agree with me that we are in a global world where 21st century skills which include: critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning, analysis, interpretation, synthesizing information, oral and written communication, public speaking and presenting, listening, creativity among others are essential for public servants, hence, the need to acquire these skills”, Ogunlewe said.

In his royal remarks, Oba Kasali, commended the guest lecturer whom he said has never disappointed him.

Oba Kasali thanked Bamgboye for sharing his wealth of experience with residents of Igbogbo in the public service.

While also commending the awardees, the royal father said that they were honoured for their services to the Igbogbo Kingdom and humanity in general.

Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, Chairman of the occasion, commenting on the issue of the local government administration in the state which was the focus of questions from the audience, said that the council is the foundation of the federation and the starting point of development.

“Be it health, drainage, school and other functions, it starts from the local government, and it is important that the council be accorded utmost priority because it is the closest to the grassroots”, he said.

Awards of Excellence were bestowed on High Chief Sotomiwa Oludayo, the Olisa of Ipakodo, Engr. Lateef Ayodele Somide, General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation; Mr Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary, OSAE; Barr. Adeboye Dankuwo, Deputy Director (Litigation), Clark Committee: Nigeria – Ghana Parliamentary Group, House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja; Mrs Oluwakemi Yetunde Kalesanwo, Director, Agency for Mass Education; Engr. Abiodun Dankuwo, Director, Technical Services, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and TPL Adebisi Ogunlewe.

Other awardees were Mr Bakare Olakunle, Council Manager, Epe Local Government and Comrade Olusegun R. Balogun, Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter.