… Says Awardees Would Be Motivated For Optimal Performance
The Lagos State Government on Thursday celebrated 375 officers drawn from the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) for their exceptional service spanning three decades, at the Year 2025 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
Addressing the awardees at the event organised by the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training (OLGE&T), the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, commended the leadership of OLGE&T for reviving the Long Service Merit Award, describing it as a motivator and morale booster for grassroots public servants.
He noted that of the 375 awardees, 202 were female and 173 were male, stressing that the officers had shown “keen dedication, unwavering commitment, undiluted loyalty, diligence, selflessness and resilience” throughout their years of service.
The Head of Service, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Wale Musa,
lauded the awardees for their meaningful contributions to grassroots development, which he said had, in turn, enhanced the overall progress of Lagos State. He urged them not to rest on their laurels but to continue to uphold responsibility, duty, and loyalty even beyond retirement.
Agoro also encouraged other public servants to remain diligent, assuring them that their efforts would similarly be recognised and rewarded.
He charged the awardees and other civil servants to stay relevant academically, professionally, attitudinally, and technologically to sustain the vibrancy of the Lagos Public Service.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing a conducive work environment and prioritising staff welfare, Agoro expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his dedication to the well-being of public servants.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, congratulated the awardees for their meritorious service and described the recognition as a well-deserved honour.
He noted that grassroots officers remain the engine room of governance in Lagos, being closest to the people, and urged them to see the award as an encouragement to further dedicate themselves to duty.
Bayewu emphasised that the Commission, under his leadership, remains committed to reforms and initiatives that will strengthen professionalism, improve efficiency, and uphold integrity in the service.
He added that the Long Service Award is one of several strategies aimed at motivating the workforce, and assured officers that the Commission would continue to work hand in hand with the government to sustain policies that promote staff welfare and career progression.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of OLGE&T, Mrs. Bibilomo Olushekun, said the Long Service Merit Award was revived to ensure that officers who had given their best years to the service of Lagos State were properly recognised.
She explained that the initiative is not just a reward system but a morale booster that underscores the value the government places on its workforce.
Olushekun applauded the awardees for demonstrating loyalty, integrity, and a sense of responsibility in their duties, stressing that their contributions had helped shape the successes recorded in local government administration.
She reaffirmed the readiness of OLGE&T to continue designing training, capacity-building and recognition programmes that would enhance productivity and inspire officers at all levels of the service.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards and gifts to the 375 officers amidst celebration from colleagues, families, and well-wishers.
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