Lagos permanent secretary Oki bows out, earns praise for urban development strides
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State, Gbolahan Oki, has been commended for his contributions to public service, particularly in advancing urban renewal and development across the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Lagos State, Gbolahan Oki, has been commended for his contributions to public service, particularly in advancing urban renewal and development across the state.
He received the recognition at a send-forth ceremony held in his honour following his voluntary retirement after 26 years in service, with senior government officials and civil servants describing his tenure as impactful.
The Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, said Oki served with distinction across several ministries and demonstrated strong professionalism throughout his career.
“He traversed several ministries, and we thank him for his service to the Lagos State Government. He was efficient in his duties, and we wish him a peaceful retirement,” Agoro said.
He also noted that Oki played a key role in mentoring younger officers and contributing to institutional growth within the civil service.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbaye Florence, described him as a resilient leader and a mentor, noting that his approach to work strengthened efficiency within the system.
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“He saw no impossibility in tasks and ensured officers under him worked with efficiency akin to the private sector. The Lagos State Civil Service will miss his contributions,” she said.
The Senior Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Urban Development, Segun Williams, also praised Oki’s service, describing his retirement as a milestone marked by diligence and integrity.
“He is leaving behind shoes that will not be easy to fill,” Williams said.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described him as steadfast and dependable.
“He stood firm, unyielding, and fearless in the face of challenges. He was a pathfinder and a pillar of support to his workers,” he said.
Responding, Oki described his years in service as “interesting” and urged civil servants to remain diligent and committed to doing the right thing.
“As a public servant, I was just trying to do what I know how to do best. I urge others to keep doing the right thing and be diligent. You don’t judge a book by its cover; the heart is what really matters,” he said.
During his career, Oki played a key role in enforcing building standards across the state, ensuring compliance while sanctioning violations.
He joined the Lagos State Civil Service in March 2000 as an architect in the Ministry of Works, rising through the ranks to become Assistant Director at LASBCA in 2015.
He also served in the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure as well as the Lagos State Resilience Office (LASRO), where he became the first indigenous Chief Resilience Officer in 2019.
Oki was appointed General Manager of LASBCA in 2021 before his elevation to Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, a position he held until his retirement.