Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday swore in Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS) in the state.

He also swore in six new permanent secretaries into the Lagos Body of Permanent Secretaries. They are: Kosoko Adeyemi, Goncalves Fausat, Balogun Bolajoko, Adeniji Olufemi, Adelaja Omobolanle, and Lawal Temidayo. Adeyemi is Adekunle Gold’s father.

At 46 years old, Muri-Okunola is the youngest HOS ever appointed in Lagos.

A lawyer and son of the late Justice Muri-Okunola, Hakeem was appointed in 2005 as the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee. He occupied the post till 2011. Before then, he was a personal assistant to former governor Bola Tinubu.

Until his appointment, Muri-Okunola was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

Ambode in his remarks at the ceremony held at the Lagos House, Alausa, described the appointment as a new chapter with a high expectation that Muri-Okunola will inject youthful vibrancy in the state’s civil service.

He tasked the new HOS to adopt creative thinking and growth mindset in the discharge of his new role.

Ambode expressed strong optimism in the ability of Muri-Okunola to effectively take charge on account of his capacity, knowledge, exposure, experience and youthful energy.

He, however, urged him to lead by example and encourage accountability and professionalism in the service.

“Following the swearing in of the new Head of Service, a new chapter has just been opened in the history of the Lagos State Public Service.

“It is a new chapter with high expectations for the injection of new energy and vibrancy that will move our Public Service to new heights.

“As the number one Civil Servant in Lagos State, you must demonstrate leadership and lead by example for others, including the Body of Permanent Secretaries, to follow.

“You have a responsibility to provide direction and encourage accountability, transparency, professionalism and high sense of discipline.

”Your actions must be based on sound and objective judgment with consideration for merit and proven record of competence and loyalty,” Ambode said.

The governor, who underscored the strategic role of the civil service, said the succeeds government policies and programmes largely depended on the quality and orientation of the civil service.

“Hence the need for the new leadership to implement necessary measures and initiatives to foster growth and development,” he said.

Responding, Muri-Okunola thanked Ambode for the confidence and trust reposed in him.

He assured that the public service would improve on all well-known traditions for speedy, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and initiatives.

The event was attended by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. (NAN)

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