*Governor charges new Permanent Secretaries on highest standards of professionalism, effective
implementation of policies
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, swore in the Chairman and members of the
Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), charging them to use their professional
knowledge, expertise and wealth of experience to uphold the integrity and credibility of the electoral
process in the State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while reiterating his administration’s unwavering commitment to democracy,
accountability, and the rule of law, said, “Credible elections are the bedrock of sustainable development,
and we will continue to support LASIEC in fulfilling its mandate.”
The members of LASIEC, who are expected to coordinate the proposed local government elections in
Lagos State, are led by Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile. The members are Mr. Samson Ajibade, Mr. Akin
Durojaiye Oluwo, Dr. Olumide Olusola Metilelu, Mr. Abeeb Dapo Aileru, and Hon. Oladele Adekanye.
The Governor also swore in three newly appointed Permanent Secretaries: Mr. Fashola, Abdul Rafiu
Omowole; Mrs. Sarumi, Kaphayah Olayemi and Mr. Muri-Okunola, Abdul-Rasheed Abiola. He advised
them to be creative in order to effectively drive the state’s THEMES+ Agenda.
Speaking during the swearing-in of the Chairman and members of LASIEC and the newly appointed
Permanent Secretaries at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged
them to be guided by a deep sense of duty, a commitment to justice, and an unwavering dedication to
the people of Lagos State, adding that everybody should work together to build a Lagos where every
voice is heard and every vote counts.
He said, “LASIEC stands as a pillar of our democratic framework, entrusted with the noble duty of
organising free, fair, and credible local government elections. This is not just an administrative task; it is
a sacred responsibility that shapes the future of our communities. I recall vividly the excitement and
hope in the air during our last local elections, a testament to the power of democratic participation. This
is the spirit we must nurture.
“As you assume this critical role, I urge you to prioritise transparency, fairness, and impartiality. The
credibility of any electoral process is the cornerstone of its acceptance. Your actions must reflect the
highest standards of integrity and accountability. To this end, I encourage you to leverage technology to
enhance efficiency and reliability. For example, exploring biometric voter registration can significantly
enhance accuracy and prevent fraud, while online platforms can improve voter education and access to
information.
“Furthermore, fostering robust collaboration is essential. LASIEC must work in synergy with all
stakeholders. This means establishing regular consultations with political parties to proactively address
concerns, partnering with civil society organisations for effective voter education campaigns, and
maintaining open communication channels with the media to ensure transparency throughout the
process.”
In a related development, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the new Permanent Secretaries to uphold the
highest standards of professionalism and ethics, provide sound and impartial advice, ensure effective
implementation of government policies, foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement,
and prioritise service delivery.
He said the Permanent Secretaries, as role models for the entire public service, must ensure that their
conduct, both on and off duty, reflects the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability that the
government strives to uphold in Lagos State.
Speaking earlier, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, said, “The confirmation of the Chairman and
Members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission was very timely and could not have
come at a better time considering the fast-approaching Local Government elections in our great
State.This will surely enable them to perform their duties in effectively organising elections in all the 20
Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas within the State without fear or
favour.
“Also, the appointment of three new Permanent Secretaries Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu,
that we are all witnessing their swearing-in ceremony today, is in line with the need to reinvigorate the
State’s policy implementation apparatus, as well as filling the vacancies occasioned by the continuous
statutory retirement of Permanent Secretaries from the State Public Service.
“The Lagos State Public Service is fast moving into an era where the quality of work done and individual
contributions to the development of the State would play a huge factor in determining their recognition
and elevation for greater responsibilities.”
Giving the Vote of Assurance, Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile and Mr. Abdul Rafiu Fashola, who spoke
respectively on behalf of the LASIEC members and the Permanent Secretaries, promised to be
committed to the assignment given to them and serve passionately to contribute their quotas to
transparent and credible elections and the actualisation of the THEMES+ developmental agenda.
June 16, 2024