Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, unbundled the health sector of the state with the swearing-in of 11 permanent secretaries out of whom were seven for the health sector and the creation of six Primary Health Care Districts for effective service.
Sanwo-Olu made this known during the ceremony which took place at Lagos House, Alausa Ikeja, declaring that the appointment of seven out of the 11 permanent secretaries into the health sector, was the first of its kind by any sub-national.
According to the governor, the development was part of the reforms embarked upon by his administration to ensure that no one was left behind in the delivery of qualitative service to Lagosians.
Besides, the governor also said the appointment of the new permanent secretaries especially in the health sector was in recognition of their impressive performance, celebration of career progression and for them to assist his government to execute its policies and agenda driven by the THEMES Plus as well as give access to universe health coverage for all.
The appointments brought the number of serving permanent secretaries in the state’s public service to 68, with the positions equally divided between men and women.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu said the selection of the new perm secs was based on their respective performances in the assessment process and their track records of delivery on tasks they were assigned.
“Your appointment to the leadership position in the public service is a way of rewarding your exceptional performance and track record of consistent contribution to the delivery of good governance and dividends of democracy to the people.
“This ceremony is a celebration of your personal achievement in your career progression. It is, therefore, important to see this appointment as a recognition and acknowledgment of your performance over the years and the impressive results from the selection process conducted,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu charged the newly inaugurated perm secs to be at their best at all times, saying that they must be on top of their new responsibilities that had been entrusted to them.
“My expectation from you and expectation of Lagosians is to be at your best at all times. You must be on top of the new responsibilities that have been entrusted to you.
“As administrators and professionals with years of experience, you have the responsibility to assist the government in the best possible way to implement policies and programmes that will better the lives of our citizens in line with THEMES Plus agenda. We must ensure that Lagos public service is ready to serve the interests of the people,” Sanwo-Olu said.
In his address, Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, in his earlier address, welcome the newly appointed permanent secretaries and their immediate families to the ceremony, disclosing that six of the seven appointed perm secs in the medical cadre would be pioneer accounting officers of the newly created PHC Districts, while the last one would head Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).
By the appointments, the HOS said Lagos, again, had set the pace by creating a first-of-its-kind initiative in the health sector.
Muri- Okunola thanked members of the Executive Technical Committee as well as the committee tasked with providing a framework for creating the newly established Primary Health Care Districts which he said had given more opportunities for officers in the Medical Cadre to be considered for the appointive post of permanent secretary in Lagos State.
The HoS further disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s approvals for the appointment of 11 new permanent secretaries were given at different times, saying that the first set of four (4) were appointed on the 3rd of July 2023, while the Second set of seven (7) perm secs, all medical officers, were appointed on July 10, 2023.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to improve healthcare service delivery at the primary level as promised in the THEMES+ agenda informed his innovative vision to approve the creation of Primary Health
Care Districts across the state with the intention not to leave anyone behind.
The seven (7) pioneer permanent secretaries whose appointments were premised on the new reform in the health are: Dr. Mabogunje, Cecilia Abimbola, Dr. Bankole, Olufunmilayo Olabisi, Dr. Zamba, Olutoyin Emmanuella, Dr. Bowale, Abimbola, Dr. Lajide, Oludayo Ibidunni, Dr. Adeleke, Monsurat, and,
Dr. Asiyanbi, Oladapo Olubanwo.
Muri-Okunola listed names of the rest five newly appointed perm secs and their deployment, including Mrs. Kilanko, Asisat Olaperi – Permanent Secretary, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA); Mr. Lawal, Fatai Idowu – Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education, District V; Mrs. Atekoja, Oloruntoyin – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture; and, Mr. Gbajumo, Kehinde Farouk – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development.
Okunola thereafter congratulated all eleven (11) newly inaugurated perm secs, expressing full confidence in their individual abilities to add value to the quality of service delivery, which he said in the long run, would go a long way to complement the efforts of the state government “towards health facilities accessible to all citizens of the state.”
The HoS further charged the newly appointed perm secs in the medical cadre to be aware that the task ahead of them was herculean, and as such, must all take the bull by the horns.
“The newly appointed permanent secretaries in the Medical Cadre should be aware that the task ahead of them is herculean, as such, you all must take the bull by the horns,” he said.
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