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Tag: Lagos civil service

  • Lagos Civil Service Commission to integrate sustainable practices for enhanced service delivery

    Lagos Civil Service Commission to integrate sustainable practices for enhanced service delivery

    The Lagos State Civil Service Commission has emphasised the importance of integrating sustainable practices into its operations in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance service delivery and tackle prevailing economic challenges.

    This resolution was the key outcome of a two-day retreat for the Commission’s management staff and directors with the theme: “Navigating current economic challenges and integrating sustainable P

    practices for optimal service delivery.”

    Chairman of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo, highlighted the urgency of embracing sustainability to ensure that government operations are not only responsive to immediate challenges but also aligned with global trends. 

    She emphasised as the largest employer of Lagos State Government workers, it is crucial for the Civil Service Commission to integrate the SDGs into its daily operations. 

    Fabamwo noted that doing so is critical to ensuring that the Civil Service remains efficient, responsive, and in sync with global sustainability goals.

    She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fostering a workforce that not only delivers on its mandate but does so in a sustainable and forward-thinking manner and urged the entire public service workforce to actively integrate sustainability into their daily activities. 

    Delivering a goodwill message at the retreat, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Service, Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Hon. Oladele Ajayi, underscored the relevance of the retreat’s theme, noting its alignment with the Commission’s efforts to innovate and enhance service delivery, especially in the context of current economic realities.

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    “As we gather here today,” Ajayi remarked, “we have a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and explore practical strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Service.”

    Hon. Ajayi also commended the management of the Civil Service Commission, under the leadership of Mrs. Fabamwo, for fostering a culture of effective communication, continuous learning, and strategic planning which according to him are the key elements of a dynamic and responsive Public Service.

    While making the keynote presentation titled “Integrating SDGs into Policy Formulation, Implementation, and Monitoring in the Public Service.” the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, outlined  strategies on how the Lagos State Government can incorporate sustainable practices to enhance government activities in budgeting, procurement, and human resource management.

    Dr. Finnih-Awokoya, represented by her Technical Special Assistant, noted that the SDGs is more than just an international agenda describing it as a practical roadmap for addressing Lagos’ unique challenges, such as infrastructure development, youth employment, and urban growth. 

    She described the Commission as the “backbone of the Public Service,” and commended their roles in transforming government policies into tangible improvements in the lives of millions of Lagosians.

    Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Akinbode Obadina, highlighted the significance of the retreat’s theme, which underscores the necessity of adapting to economic realities while embracing sustainability as a core element of government operations. 

    Represented by the Director, Discipline and Exit Directorate, Mrs. Grace Olaopin, Obadina expressed hope that the retreat would serve as a platform for critical discussions on how the Civil Service can thrive amid economic uncertainties while ensuring a prosperous future for Lagos State.

  • Lagos enhances civil service capacity in new reform

    Lagos enhances civil service capacity in new reform

    The Lagos State Government is driving a major reform programme that will radically reshape the way civil servants are trained and developed and create a “new work culture. The goal is to support the Federal Government ’s efforts to expose  the nation ’s workforce to skills needed to drive the economy of the future. These include a government-wide, holistic approach to civil servant training and career development. It  also  includes a  regular  capacity building plan for all departments with the aim of ensuring efficient service delivery; the setting of benchmarks to encourage and monitor civil servants’ development; and a focus on technology-based learning.

    The Director-General, Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation (OTCI), Toyin Anjous-Ademuyiwa,  said the government ‘s goal is to continuously build capacity, update the talent pool and provide equal opportunities for the personal and professional growth of officials at all levels.

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    To this end, she urged public servants in Lagos State government agencies to adhere to job description and target setting in ensuring effective and efficient performance within Government organisation.

    The Director-General stated this in Alausa at the first phase of a two-day programme on Job Description and Target Setting organised by the OTCI for Human Resource Leaders and Heads of Departments in various Government Agencies, adding that job description serves as the foundation for defining roles, responsivities and expectation for employees in the public sector.

     She noted that it provides clarity and guardians on the scope of work, required skills, qualifications and reporting relationships.“A well-defined job description helps employees understand their role and enable them to align their efforts `with the organisation’s goals and objectives”.“In Public Service where accountability and transparency are of utmost importance, job description becomes even more critical, it helps to prevent role ambiguity and ensure that employees understand their specific duties and responsibilities” she reiterated.

    Anjous-Ademuyiwa said that target setting in public service should be “SMART” – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, saying it is crucial to strike a balance between setting ambitious target and considering the challenging nature of public sector work.

    In her words “SMART means Specific target provides clear direction, while measurable target allows for objective evaluation. Achievable target ensures that they are within the reach and motivate employees to strive for excellence, Relevant target are aligned with the organisation’s mission and strategic priorities. Lastly time-bound targets set deadline and create a sense of urgency”.

    She, however, emphasised that clear and well-defined job description provide employees with a sense of purpose and direction, while target setting enable organisations to measure their performance and deliver quality public service.

    “It is through these practices that government agencies can effectively serve the public, promote accountability and foster a culture of continuous improvement” she concluded.

    The programme featured quintessential facilitators from the State Public Service. Including Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment and Training, Mrs. Olubusola Abidakun, Deputy Director, Admin and Human Resource, Health District IV, Mrs. Titilayo Seriki, Head of Reforms Department, OTCI, Mr. Samuel Okedara that dealt with different topics on the concept of job description such as, Job description /KPIs template in contemporary Lagos State Public Service, SPADEV Sensitisation, and knowledge on job responsibilities and target setting.