Ogun HoS Urges Public Servants to Uphold Excellence, Integrity, Professionalism

Ogun HoS Urges Public Servants to Uphold Excellence, Integrity, Professionalism

The Head of Service of Ogun State, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka, has urged workers in the Local Government Service and the entire state Public/Civil Service to strive for greater excellence, uphold the core values of integrity and professionalism, and demonstrate discipline and accountability in the discharge of their duties.

Saka made the call at the 2026 Local Government Service Week Public Lecture, organised by the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission at the Obas' Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The lecture, which had the theme, "From Experience to Excellence: Strengthening Service Delivery at the Grassroots," focused on the need to transform accumulated institutional experience into improved performance, technology-driven administration and sustainable grassroots development.

The Head of Service described the theme as timely and relevant, noting that local governments occupied a strategic position in the governance structure as the tier closest to the people.

He stressed that the effectiveness of local government administration was critical to the provision of essential services, promotion of community development and fulfilment of the aspirations of residents.

According to him, the public lecture provided a valuable platform for intellectual engagement, knowledge sharing and renewed commitment to excellence in public service.

He emphasised that the responsibilities of modern public administration required a workforce that was adaptable, technologically equipped and committed to the highest standards of integrity, discipline and accountability.

Saka observed that technology-driven governance had become indispensable to effective service delivery, particularly in the face of the rapidly changing administrative environment.

"The adoption of digital tools, automation of administrative processes, electronic record management and data-driven decision-making will significantly improve operational efficiency, transparency and accountability.

"Our Local Government Service must therefore embrace digital transformation as a strategic necessity rather than an optional administrative convenience to ensure prompt and effective service delivery at the grassroots," he said.

He noted that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun had consistently prioritised the development of an efficient, accountable and technology-driven Public Service in line with its ISEYA development agenda and the vision of Building Our Future Together.

The Head of Service commended the governor for his sustained support towards strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring that the state's Public Service remained responsive to the needs of the people.

He urged local government officials to play strategic roles in advancing the administration's development agenda through effective implementation of government policies, adoption of innovative administrative practices and improved service delivery across communities in the state.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chairman of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Ms. Olubukonla Onabanjo, said the theme was carefully selected to challenge the workforce to move beyond accumulated experience and translate it into excellence and improved service delivery.

She noted that while the commission had acquired considerable experience over the years, there was a need to continually embrace new knowledge, innovative ideas and best practices to meet the changing expectations of the people.

Onabanjo urged participants to pay close attention to the lecture and maximise the opportunity to acquire knowledge that would enhance their professional performance.

She also paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the Local Government Service Commission for laying a solid institutional foundation upon which successive administrations had continued to build.

The royal father of the day, the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, who was represented by the Seriki of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Ajao Adelekan, described the annual event as an important opportunity to reflect on the relevance of local government administration to grassroots development.

He said local governments remained the closest point of contact between government and the people, making their effectiveness essential to democratic governance and community development.

The monarch, therefore, commended the local government workforce across various cadres and urged them to demonstrate greater commitment to public service and the welfare of the people.

In his lecture, the guest speaker and Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Bayo Ilawole, said strengthening local government institutions was indispensable to promoting inclusive development, restoring public confidence in governance, deepening democracy and achieving sustainable national development.

Ilawole described experience as one of the greatest assets in public administration, explaining that it enabled administrators to identify effective practices worth retaining and outdated approaches that needed to be discarded in order to improve service delivery.

He stressed the importance of applying lessons from past administrative experiences to develop more efficient, responsive and accountable local government institutions.

In her response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Engr. Olanike Ogunbona, appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving the Local Government Service Week and his sustained commitment to promoting development across the state's 20 local government areas.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the commission and the entire local government workforce to supporting the state government's development agenda, pledging their continued cooperation and dedication to effective service delivery.