Fashola tasks workers on service delivery as Head of Service retires

LAGOS State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has urged civil servants to renew commitment to hard work and efficient service delivery in the state.

  Fashola spoke in at the “Pens-Down Ceremony” organised in honour of the state’s 17th Head of Service, Josephine Oluseyi Williams.

  Williams, who was appointed in October 2013, retires on February 14 after 35 years in service.

  Fashola said workers were engine room of development and that the state’s pace of progress would be accelerated if they discharged their duties more efficiently.

  He commended the retiring Head of Service for her steadfastness and achievements in office, urging workers to imbibe her professional values.

  The governor noted that Williams introduced so many innovative ideas into the service, stressing that her revolutionary leadership would be remembered for a long to come.

  Fashola particularly praised Williams for deepening the culture of discipline in the service and for promoting professionalism among workers.

  According to him, “Lagos is working because the civil service is working. And one of those who have strengthened the civil service to deliver is Mrs. Williams.

  “I first met Mrs. Williams almost about 12 years ago when I assumed office as Chief of Staff. She was then the Accountant-General.

  “She was and she remains a very likeable person as you all know, with a strong character.

  “Back then, we had occasional disagreements on issues about how the service should work, and about how she interpreted the rules and my own interpretations about how she applied. Interestingly when she was being considered for Head of Service, I got all sorts of petitions that she couldn’t deliver.

  “But I insisted that I wanted her and told people she would be the Head of Service. And for the ideas she introduced, including the dress codes, I can say the service is better for it,” he said.

  Fashola added that Williams’ achievements in office demonstrated that women have great leadership capabilities and would deliver when given the right support.

  He said the dominance of women in the state’s judiciary and other departments of the service showed that women had all it took to be good leaders.

  Entrusting women with leadership positions, he said, was not a favour but tapping from their natural leadership qualities to better the society.

  Williams thanked the state government, particularly Fashola for the confidence reposed in her.

  According to her, the modest achievements she recorded in office would not have been possible without the support of the civil service.