Igbogbo Charts Development Plans For Sons, Daughters In Civil Service -

Jare Olukotun & Mariam Akinloye

-Honour outstanding public officers, students

Key stakeholders in Igbogbo have charged sons and daughters of the Kingdom in the civil service to continue develop themselves if they are to have career progression in the service, and also urged them to rededicate themselves to public service and their Igbogbo.

It was also agreed that the Conference of Igbogbo Indigenes in Public Service (CONFIIPS) platform should be expanded for proper impact on its members.

These were some of the positions of stakeholders at the 2025 Public Service Day of the annual Igbogbo Day Celebration held at De Shokis Hotel, Igbogbo on Friday.

Two eminent individuals were honoured, while Engr. Abiodun Dankuwo, a retired civil servant was honoured with a Meritorious Public Service Award for facilitating many projects in Igbogbo and his contributions to the service, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. (Dr.) Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), was presented Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions to infrastructural development in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA.

Outstanding students and pupils across various secondary and primary schools in Igbogbo Kingdom were also honoured. Pupils from four primary schools and two secondary schools were honoured for their exceptional academic performance, and given cash prizes and letters of award.

Primary school awardees were given N10, 000, while in the Secondary School category, best in Government went home with N20, 000, overall best non – indigene N25, 000 and the overall best indigene N25, 000.

Mr Olajide Oluseyi Dankuwo, FCA, Director of Finance and Accounts, SUBEB, Lagos State, presented a paper on the theme, “Codes of Ethics on Government Business expected of a Civil/Public Servant”.

Dr Oluwole Ogunyemi, FCIB, President, Conference of Igbogbo Indigenes in Public Service (CONFIIPS), in his welcome address said that the executives of the association are executing its agenda for its members as pledged when they assumed office.

Presentation of award to representatives of Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun

“When the current Executive Committee took over on November 22nd, 2024, we set targets for ourselves. You will be delighted to hear that our Sharing Experience Series has been consistently implemented quarterly and CONFIIPS has had two general meetings. Members should rest assured that the executive will implement the decision of the general meetings which included registration with CAC.

While stating that there will be special prayers for Igbogbo and the association, CONFIIPS President, also announced that awards will be given to two deserving public officers and 12 pupils/students.

“We will give awards to two deserving personalities and give awards to 12 students from 4 secondary schools and 12 pupils from 4 primary schools. These awards to the students and pupils are channels of establishing mentor-mentee relationships between members of CONFIIPS and students/pupils.

“We have the overall best indigene, overall best non-indigene in both levels of school. Then we have the best in elementary science in primary school and best in the subject of government in Secondary School. The results of SSII and primary were used for the awards. The recipients are now in SSII and Primary 6, so that we can have some months to implement the mentoring initiative. This agrees with the mission of Igbogbo Day Planning Committee to sustain developmental strides in education and youth capacity development of the Kingdom.

“We cannot do it alone; we solicit for your support all the time. It is your support that has made this programme successful.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr Waheed Kasali, also speaking, emphasised the need for public servants to be conscious about their self – development.

Presentation of award to Engr. Abiodun Dankuwo

He also urged them to be conversant with the dynamic nature of the service especially for those in Lagos State Civil Service.

“When we gather like this, we are expected to speak on the major values we can add, especially concerning the development going on in the public service and the state of our education sector today. There are key developments we must pay attention to — especially those that affect our career advancement and how we engage our youths in relevant programmes in this present economy.

“One thing I want to emphasise is that the face of the public service has changed: It is now about Performance Management. If you recall, three years ago, we had the Structure Programme. Last year, we had the RSTP—Revenue Structure Training Programme. Now, there is another model called Structure Evaluation and Assessment Programme.

“All these programmes point to one thing: If you are not performing, you cannot move. This means we must continually develop ourselves. We must make ourselves relevant. Performance now affects the way you speak, the way you deliver, appointments, and even promotion. The competition is becoming tighter, and only the best will rise,” the PS said.

Mr Kasali furthered, “From Monday till now (Friday), many of us have been writing CBT and written exams. The system is changing — written exams are now more challenging, and digital exams have taken over. This is the new direction of the public service. It is all about performance management, and we must begin to build our profile.

“There are many opportunities for development.We have the Performance Room Business School and even the partnership with Sweden. I always share these opportunities on the platform. Let us encourage ourselves to build our profile. When you are able to say, “I have done this, I have done that,” it gives you confidence during interviews or assessments.

Omoba Aroyewun presenting COFIIPS prize to a student for her excellent academic performance

“Gone are the days when someone goes to the office, spends 30 days, and waits for salary. The system is no longer like that. Competition is here. Lagos State is intentional about improving the quality of public servants, especially in the education sector. Once you are given a job, you must perform.

“There are opportunities to grow in service, and this is one of the key reasons the Conference of Igbogbo Indigenes exists—to open doors for opportunities that will help us grow.”

He also stressed the need to engage youths in Igbogbo for development, especially in terms of education.

“We must also focus on engaging our youths. Opportunities are available for them too.

“By January next year, JAMB registration will start. I know what is happening in LASU, and I am working on it. It will be easier for our children. But they must not study “anyhow.” There are courses that can give them quick access to jobs. Let us guide them well.

“To all our students and youths, make use of the opportunities available to you now.”

Omoba Hammed Aroyewun, Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, emphasising the importance of expanding the platform, said that his civil service background prepared him for the council administration.

“I will say with all sense of responsibility that the civil service prepared me for where I am today. Whatever I have learnt, the training, and the culture I went through in the civil service were very useful in preparing me, and that helped me to navigate whatever challenges I encountered with the things I met when I entered the office. So, I am privileged and happy about that.

HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Omoba Hammd Aroyewun, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and other stakeholders at the 2025 Public Service Day of the annual Igbogbo Day Celebration held at De Shokis Hotel, Igbogbo on Friday.

“I want to suggest to this organisation that we should not limit this to Igbogbo day program alone. There is a need for us to focus our strength on the indigenes of Igbogbo in the civil service. There is a need for serious reorientation, and proper career and counselling, and we cannot achieve that when we come to a ceremony like this.

“There must be another platform for this so that we will have enough time to learn.”

He urged public servants to show more commitment and dedication to the development of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, while adding that he is always available whenever he is needed.

His Royal Majesty Oba Orimadegun Kasali in his royal remarks urged public officers to adhere strictly to the rules and principles guiding the service and what senior government officials have enlightened them upon.

He charged them to take every opportunity available to them to develop themselves and learn from the senior public officers from Igbogbo before they exit the service.

Adeboruwa expressed his fear at what would be the situation with Igbogbo indigenes in service when many of those in the top cadre are eventually retired. He urged them to continue to develop themselves and give their total commitment to service of the state and Igbogbo community.

Kabiyesi charged CONFIIPS on the need to continue to unite Igbogbo indigenes and assist them in their career development.

The guest speaker, Mr Olajide Dankuwo, in his paper, themed, “Codes of Ethics on Government Business expected of a Civil/Public Servant”, listed Discipline, Loyalty, Honesty, Courtesy, Industrious, Secrecy of official document and information, Courage, Good conduct, Co-operation, Tactful, Tidiness, Helpfulness, Avoidance of delay, Prudency, National consciousness as some of codes of ethics that public officers must be conversant with.

He also listed example of serious misconduct as follows: falsification, withholding, suppression of word, conviction on a criminal charge, absence from duty post without leave, engaging in partisan politics, false claim against government officials, bankruptcy/ serious financial embezzlement, unauthorized disclosure of official information, misappropriation, bribery, violation of oath of secrecy, advance fee fraud, divided loyalty, sabotage, sexual harassment, action prejudicial to the security of the state, holding more than one full time job, nepotism or any other form of preferential treatment, willful damage of public property and any other act unbecoming of a public officer .

Among other guests and members of CONFIIBS at the event were Hon Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA) represented by Hon. Adewale Bolowotan, Alhaji Sherif Jinadu, Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Mr Olajide Oluwaseyi Dankuwo, Director, Finance, & Account, LSUBEB, Mr Babatunde Afuwape, IDEA member, Engr.Femi Kalejaiye, IDEA member, Councillor Saidat Adeoba, councillor Ward, Mr Olugbenga Oduniyi, Vice President CONFIIBS, Dr Adeleke Dankuwo, President, Igbogbo Youth Forum, and Mr Idris Adeshina, former General Secretary, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee.