Colleagues, family members, and well-wishers have gathered to celebrate the retirement of Mrs Abosede Oluwakemi George, the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Service Commission, marking the end of a distinguished 32-year career in the Lagos State Public Service.
Speakers at the event, they described George as a disciplined, compassionate, and committed administrator whose contributions have left a lasting impact on governance and public administration in Lagos.
In tributes, colleagues highlighted her leadership qualities, noting that her dedication, loyalty, and strong sense of duty earned her recognition and eventual appointment as Permanent Secretary.
“She is a warm, kind-hearted, God-loving, and compassionate administrator with a keen sense of excellence. Her contributions to the body of Permanent Secretaries have significantly influenced major government decisions,” Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola said.
Also speaking, Commissioner Two, Lagos State Teaching Service Commissioner, Abiodun Bamigboye, described her as “enigmatic, intelligent, and ever ready to take responsibility,” recalling her role during a key transition from traditional administration to modern human resource management within the civil service.
“She is a pathfinder who has impacted the service positively,” he added.
Family members also paid glowing tributes, with her son, Rotimi George, describing the occasion as emotional and fulfilling, noting that her retirement coincided with her 60th birthday.
Reflecting on her career, Mrs George expressed a sense of fulfilment and gratitude, stating that she leaves office without regrets.
“I feel delighted. I’m happy. Sixty is a great age. I’m leaving fulfilled, joyful, and with no sadness,” she said.
In her valedictory remarks, she urged serving public officers to prioritise dedication, excellence, and purpose over financial gain.
“Dedication is key. The monetary aspect is good, but it should not be the focus. The focus should be on who you want to become in the service,” she said.
Mrs George described her 32-year journey in the civil service as “beautiful,” attributing her success to the support of mentors and colleagues. She also recounted her role in managing the Oracle Human Resources system at the Public Service Office, where she worked with multiple Heads of Service to ensure accuracy in salary administration.
She highlighted her career across several government agencies, including the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, Lagos Water Corporation, and the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, later known as the Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investments.
On work-life balance, she shared how she combined her demanding role with motherhood, often supervising her children’s schoolwork at the office while attending to official duties.
Mrs George, fondly called “Georg elle” by colleagues, emphasised that she never lobbied for postings but remained committed to delivering her best in every assignment.
In her closing remarks, she commended the Lagos State Public Service as a leading institution and urged serving officers to uphold its standards.
“They should keep the flag flying and maintain the standards as we move higher,” she said.
