The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro has charged leaders in the public service of the State to intensify efforts in ensuring collaboration and inclusivity among members of their teams in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State.
The Head of Service gave the charge in an address delivered on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, at the opening ceremony of a two-day management staff retreat with the theme: “Harnessing a Stronger Team for the Future”, organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency.
Mr. Agoro pointed out that effective leadership is very essential in driving any organisation towards success in today’s rapidly evolving and complex world, adding that leaders must embrace a transformative approach, collaboration and collectiveness to navigate the complexities of work and inspire their teams to reach their full potential, thereby enabling their organisations to take informed decisions.
Agoro enjoined the Agency to continue to strive to build a formidable team to enable the Agency that will enable the organisation continue to achieve its mission and objectives.
“By embracing diverse perspectives, we promote innovation and build a culture of trust and engagement which will ultimately make everyone see himself/herself as a stakeholder, thereby engendering collective investment in the growth of the Agency”, he stated.
The Head of Service also restated the commitment of the present Administration in the State to continuous capacity building of its workforce to enable them to “remain competent, versatile and relevant to the present and future needs of the State”.
Agoro, therefore, urged participants to take advantage of the retreat to further develop themselves and improve their capacity for excellence in public service delivery.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote stated that the retreat was part of the programmes and initiatives of the Agency to continuously reorientate and build the capacity of participants for leadership roles and responsibilities they are expected to perform from time to time.
Onafowote further stated that the activity reports and work plans of the various departments and units of the Agency would be subjected to objective critique to enhance the service delivery capacity of each department and unit of the Agency so that the Agency could become more innovative and more responsive to the dynamics of the operating environment.
While noting that the public the Agency serves deserves to be treated and served well, the Director-General stressed the need for all staff of the Agency “to imbibe the right spirit, cultivate the right culture and exhibit acceptable level of knowledge befitting of their status and function effectively and efficiently at both personal and organisational levels to enable the Agency continue to achieve its objectives.
He expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his unflinching support to the Agency. He also restated the commitment of the Agency to the continuous improvement of the public procurement system towards enhancing transparency, accountability due process and value for money in the management of the public resources of the State.
The DG also thanked the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, for providing the necessary support and encouragement to the management of the Agency, thereby contributing immensely to the modest achievements the Agency has made in public procurement in the State.
Mr. Onafowote also expressed appreciation to the Chairman and members of the Governing Board of the Agency “for providing the right leadership and focus which has enabled the Agency to successfully navigate turbulent waters in the course of discharging its regulatory functions in public procurement” in the State.
In a goodwill message delivered at the occasion, the Chairman, House Committee on Procurement, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Olufemi Apata, underscored the need for the Agency to regularly create opportunities for reflection and stock-taking.
Hon. Apata, therefore, expressed the hope that participants at the retreat would use the opportunity to reflect and re-strategise to ensure better delivery of service to the people.
The lawmaker stated that the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly is proud of the efforts of the Agency in ensuring due process in public procurement and enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of the resources, adding that “The good job the Agency is doing is greatly assisting the House in carrying out its oversight functions”.
He assured the Agency of the support and commitment of the House towards ensuring that all necessary amendments that may be required to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency and further entrench best practices in the public procurement system of the State are made to the Procurement Law after due consultations with stakeholders.
