Press Releases

Fashola, Others Extol Virtues Of Yakub Balogun
…As he retires as Lagos Head of Service

May 14, 2010 - It was a day of accolades, tributes and inspiring show of goodwill for immediate past Head of the Lagos State Public Service , Alhaji Yakub Abiodun Balogun, as activities marking his send forth (Pens Down) from the Service climaxed on Friday.

The weeklong activities which included a send off party by the State Public Service also witnessed a Valedictory Session by the State Executive Council which took place on Friday at the Chambers of the Council at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium before a capacity crowd of civil servants, top government functionaries, Traditional Rulers, Market men and Women, labour unions and family, friends of Alhaji Balogun, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), praised the former Head of Service for leading the State's Public Service "with an uncommon welfarist approach", adding that while in service, "he was father and friend to all and adversary to none".

Governor Fashola said the former Head of Service spear-headed many initiatives that sought to strengthen the bonds of unity amongst public servants and continued many of those he inherited, such as Pension Reforms and Mortgage Scheme which served the same purpose at different levels.

The Governor, who said he had worked with three Heads of Service since 2002 when he joined the State's Public Service, declared, "I feel confident to assert that each of the three Heads of Service who have served our State in the last eleven years of our democratic experience since 1999, has helped to restore the glory of the public service in their unique and various ways".

"Undoubtedly, in my view, Yakub Balogun greatest strength was his disarming humility and courtesy to all who encountered him, including myself", the Governor said adding, "He got so many things done for our State by putting himself last. It is a character strength that is most ideal and worthy of emulation for every Public Servant if we must remain true to our mandate as servants of the people".

According to the Governor, "He was never one to wear the authority or privilege of his office on his sleeve and in spite of how hard myself and members of the Executive Council pushed him, he remained true to his calling as a quintessential leader of the public service whose brief was to maintain a necessary but delicate balance between the political office holders and the career public servants".

"Although our Government continues to evolve and build on foundations of the past, it is only fair and just to credit him for his role and successes achieved during his tenure", Governor Fashola said adding, "He did not squander the gains of the past but used them as critical building blocks to reinvigorate our public service to its present pride of place and I bear testimony to how many people have left the private sector to join us".

Governor Fashola said as a result of the untiring efforts of the just retired Head of Service many applications are still being considered by the Government from members of the private sector who want to join the State's public service adding that the Service has also gained a lot of respect not only in the State, but across Nigeria and beyond.

The Governor thanked the wife of Alhaji Balogun, his children and family who, according to him, endured his absence and demonstrated "the understanding that have certainly been of immense value towards achieving all the successes that your tenure witnessed".

Assuring the former Head of Service of the best and sincere wishes of the State Government "for unqualified success in your next and future endeavour", Governor Fashola declared, "As you bow out gracefully after a career of unblemished public and noble service, I believe that I speak the minds of all the State's Civil Servants that we will miss you. But as much as we are reluctant to let you off, we respect your personal wish and desire to move on to greater things as destiny certainly beckons".

In his goodwill message on behalf of the State Executive Council, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, described the former Head of Service as a man of peace who never kept malice with anyone that he had misunderstanding with adding that he was also ready to go the extra mile and brought a positive change in the State's Civil Service.

Also delivering his goodwill message on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Josephine Williams Ibironke described Alhaji Balogun as a humorous and humble person pointing out that throughout his tenure, he was a great team leader who led by example.

Speaking on behalf of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the State Council Chairman, Comrade Kunle Balogun, said the just retired Head of Service made tremendous contributions to the Union by way of negotiations and harmonization in times of misunderstanding in the service.

Mr. Makanjuola Alabi of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) who spoke on behalf of all State organisations described Alhaji Balogun as a great motivator for change.

The representative of the State's Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Henry Akinmiju said the just retired Head of Service was a father and mentor to many adding that he was also a man who never took offence even when under pressure.

Responding to the many tributes and accolades, Alhaji Balogun expressed gratitude to all those who had made his job easier for him, adding that without their cooperation, he would not have recorded the successes for which he is being commended.

Alhaji Balogun particularly thanked the State Governor "for believing in me and for retaining me as Head of Service of our great State", adding that he would continue his service to the Government and people of Lagos State in his private capacity.

Expressing his gratitude to the immediate past Governor of the State Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for believing in him and appointing him the Head of Service in 2006, the former Head of Service told Governor Fashola, "It is with the deepest emotions of gratitude that I acknowledge the continued confidence with which Your Excellency has sustained me during my headship of the Service. I very much appreciate your generous confidence and trust in me even till this hour of my Public Service life".

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Pubic Service Office, Mrs. Doyin Olusoga, highlighted some of the policy initiatives facilitated by Alhaji Balogun which included provision of more buses for the centralized staff bus scheme, increase in staff housing loan, introduction of long service award and Service Week which provides the opportunity of winning various prizes among other initiatives.

The former Head of Service was later presented with documents of a detached building and a brand new Mercedes Benz car by Governor Babatunde Fashola in line with the tradition of the State Government to reward excellent public service.

Alhaji Yakub Abiodun Balogun joined the Lagos State Civil service thirty three years ago and voluntary retired despite having a year to go in the service in order to, according to him, make room for his colleagues "who are aspiring to that position before their exit".

The Sent Forth (Pens Down) Ceremony was preceded in the morning by a Valedictory Session of the State Executive Council during which members also extolled the virtues of the former Head of Service and wished him a happy life in retirement.