Former Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Economic Department under former Governor, Lateef Jakande, and Agba Akin of Iruland, Chief Tunde Fanimokun has hailed the Lagos State Public Service for its excellence, integrity, resourcefulness and selflessness.
Chief Fanimokun spoke as the Special Guest Speaker at the 1st Annual Distinguished Service Lecture of the Yaba College of Technology titled, ‘Excellence, Integrity, Resourcefulness & Selflessness: The Hallmarks of Lagos State Public Service As A Case Study in Progress, Unity and Prosperity 1967-2025.’
Tracing the history of Lagos public service, Chief Fanimokun said as a Pioneer Graduate Officer, the public service in Lagos since 1967 is unique for its seven core values of Integrity, unity in adversity, resourcefulness, selflessness and good governance.
He credited former Military Governor of the state, Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson who served from 1967 to 1975 for laying the foundation for integrity and discipline during his tenure which set the pace for other states.
He noted that the Lagos public service witnessed further growth during the tenure of Lateef Jakande as governor who ‘conceived, designed, established and sustained a model of an incorruptible administration.’
Chief Fanimokun, who is the Chairman of Yinka Folawiyo Group of Companies and several other private companies commended successive governments in Lagos and the Association of Retired Heads of Service & Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS), for “taking on the enviable role of advocacy of Integrity in Lagos Public Service”.
He said the Lagos public service uniqueness is evident in the state’s revenue mobilisation drive with its recent achievement of a Gross Domestic Product,GDP, of $259billion positioning it as the second largest economy in Africa, environmental sanitation, mass transportation improvement such as the Blue and Red Lines, education advancement in LASU, LASUED, LASUSTECH, among others.
“The pace of development in the Lagos public is impressive, encouraging and promising for a greater tomorrow. To really build a positive legacy and impact the world for good, excellence, integrity, resourcefulness and selflessness are fundamental requirements,” he said.
He added: “Lagos State has set a good example for other states. I am a proud product of Lagos public service. I grew up with principles of integrity and selflessness. I started under Mobolaji Johnson. I became Permanent Secretary at the age of 35. The public service of Lagos made me who I am today. I was specially nurtured by the Lagos State government. Public Service is a public trust. You are not in the government to enrich your pocket, you will leave there one day. Whatever you are doing, be accountable because it’s public money.To the young ones, don’t engage in corruption, do your best.”
The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Ibrahim Adedotun-Abdul said the lecture was to celebrate excellence and individuals who have excelled in public service.
“Chief Fanimokun is a respected icon in Lagos State public service. His illustrious service is a reflection of what selfless public service can accomplish,” he said.
The Chairman, Governing Council of Yaba Tech, Prof. Isola Owafunsho said the occasion was used to celebrate excellence exemplified by Chief Fanimokun.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state government is proud of its public service. He commended the Governing Council of YabaTech for producing ‘exceptional minds.
“We are proud of the public service of Lagos State which is the reason we are the leading state in Nigeria,”Tolani said.
