Dignitaries, civil servants and thousands of others thronged the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, to felicitate with the man of the moment, Mr. Yakub Balogun, Head of Service (HOS).
Those who were unable to gain entrance into the hall took refuge at the car park.
The event was the conferment on the HOS, the Public Administrator of the Year Award by the Centre for Policy Development and Political Studies (CEPODEPS).
Balogun beat a host of other administrators in the country to emerge the 2009 best administrator.
Outside the Oranmiyan Hall, several banners were placed at strategic places by well wishers with the picture of the HOS boldly displayed.
At the event were the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his wife, Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; wife of the Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; Action Congress (AC) chieftains, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola and Rev. James Odumbaku, popularly known as Baba Eto; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Opeyemi Bamidele; Ben Akabueze; cabinet members; House of Assembly members, among others.
The Lagos Cultural Troupe entertained the audience with their scintillating dance steps and there were lots to drink and eat.
Well wishers showered encomiums on the HOS and described him as humble, hardworking and purposeful. He was also described as a man who has transformed the civil service in Lagos State by bringing about dynamic changes and new innovations.
Dr. Aderemi Ifaolepin, Director General and Chief Organiser, CEPODEPS, said: “We are here to testify to the zeal, commitment and devotion of Yakub Balogun towards enthroning the enduring values of excellent public service in Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.
“It is noble to acknowledge and reward excellence in a country like Nigeria where cynicism prevailed in many quarters. There is need to appreciate those who strive to make positive changes in the society.
“Where hard work, transparency and integrity are celebrated, corruption and bad performances are driven away and when you work hard, people will celebrate you. Recognising people that have done well will inspire others to work hard,” he stated.
He said towards this, the CEPODEPS decided to organise the Public Administrator of the Year Award (PAYA) to reward excellence in service, adding that you have to score 50 per cent of the votes to emerge winners.
According to him, Balogun was nominated because of his exemplary leadership qualities; consistent high moral standard and integrity; outstanding selfless service to the state and humanity and based on the opinion polls of the public.
Receiving the award, the HOS attributed his success to the civil servants, who stood by him as well as the former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who first appointed him as HOS, and Fashola, who retained him in the same position.
He, therefore, dedicated the award to Fashola,Tinubu and the entire civil servants in the state for their constant support and encouragement.
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