Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Friday administered the oath of office to seven newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, urging them to prioritise performance and deliver tangible results across government ministries.
The ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Alausa, also featured the inauguration of members of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, a step aimed at improving healthcare delivery through a merit-based recruitment system.
Addressing the appointees, the governor stressed that the roles were not ceremonial, noting that expectations remain high in a state with a population exceeding 20 million and growing service demands.
“Permanent Secretary is not a ceremonial title,” he said, describing the position as a vital link between policy formulation and execution.
Sanwo-Olu characterised Lagos as an economy operating at a scale comparable to sovereign nations, emphasising that effective governance requires discipline, efficiency and a strong commitment to service delivery.
He noted that the selection process for the new officials was rigorous, assessing both competence and character, and stressed that technical expertise must be matched with integrity, leadership and resilience.
The governor also directed the appointees to align with his administration’s THEMES+ development agenda, urging them to take responsibility for implementing policies within their respective ministries and agencies.
On the health sector, he tasked the newly inaugurated commission, led by Olukayode Oguntimehin, to uphold transparency and merit in the recruitment of health workers, stressing the impact of such decisions on residents’ wellbeing.
“The era of confusing stewardship with ownership is over,” Sanwo-Olu said, calling for strict accountability in the management of public resources.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, said the appointments reflect the state’s commitment to placing qualified individuals in strategic roles to enhance governance and service delivery.
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries have been assigned to key sectors, including urban development, innovation, health, works and public defence, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional performance across the state.
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