The Lagos State Government has sent off 30 retired Permanent Secretaries who served the state meritoriously for over 30 years.

During the occasion on Tuesday the government also charged public servants in the state to embrace diligence which will attract reward.

Thousands of civil servants gathered at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos, southwest Nigeria where a ‘Pen’s Down Ceremony’ was held for the retirees.

Deputy Govenor of the State, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, who represented Governor Akinwumi Ambode at the event, said the state government saluted their exploit in the civil service throughout the over 30 years they served the state.

“As a government, we note with deep appreciation your sense of commitment, diligence, honesty and efficiency in service delivery over the years which has continued to make Lagos State a reference point for all other States in the country in terms of infrastructural development and effective public service delivery,” she said.

She said the governor had last month inaugurated the Forum of retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the state as sector experts and policy think-tank, saying that the inauguration was informed by the present administration’s belief that the diverse experiences of members of the forum, all of whom had been in government in various capacities in the past and now, would enrich government’s policy formulation.

Adebule urged the retirees to see their exit from the state public service as a seamless transition to greater assignments, saying that it was not the time for them to withdraw themselves but a period to remain more active, take good care of themselves, health and enjoy themselves.

“More importantly, it is a period to continue to lend your experience in whatever area you are called to the development of the state and your immediate community. This is the beginning of a new phase in your lives and you must take full advantage of it. You may have retired from the Public Service but you should not be tired as you may be called upon to lend your wealth of experience and expertise,” she added.

She said the state government had its ways of rewarding its workforce, charging those still in service to be diligent, committed, persevere and be honest to the public service, saying that “we will continue to encourage and reward diligence and resourcefulness among you. We have come to accept that only a well coordinated and sustained strategic Human Capital Development Programme can produce the type of Public Servants that will be sufficiently equipped to deliver on their mandates.”

Adebule said the government is reviewing the old staff training policy with a view to developing a more robust human capacity development programme to build individual and institutional capacities and empower civil servants and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to deliver on individual and institutional mandates.

Head of Service, ‘Shade Jaji charged civil servants still in service to remain focused, steadfast and committed in rendering selfless service to the state.