Lagos State Hosts Southwest Secretaries to State Governments and Cabinet Affairs Officers

July 08, 2019 11:52:53 AM Published by: PERL

 

The Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, organised a regional meeting of Secretaries to the State Government and Permanent Secretaries of the Cabinet Affairs Offices at the federal and state levels on Thursday, July 4th, 2019.

 

The meeting was held in Lagos State, for Southwest Nigeria, as a first in its series, to be subsequently followed by similar meetings in other geopolitical zones of the country. The event was supported and facilitated by DFID’s Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL).

 

The aim of the meeting was to create a Community of Practice (CoP) for Secretaries to the State Governments and Permanent Secretaries for Cabinet Affairs Offices at federal and regional levels. The CoP would create an enabling environment for lessons sharing and learning among members, to promote good governance, formulation of better policies and effective service delivery. Other members of the CoP would include the Permanent Secretaries and key officers of Cabinet Affairs Offices at federal and states levels. DFID-PERL has facilitated the creation and functioning of other CoPs including for Commissioners for Economic Planning and Budget, Heads of Service, Women in Governance and Heads of Reform Coordinating Agencies. Creating another successful CoP is an expected immediate outcome of this meeting.

 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Funds Office, Dr. (Mrs) Habeebat Lawal. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Shade Jaji at the event.

 

Addressing the forum, the SGF, Mr. Mustapha, hoped that the meeting facilitates collaboration between States and the Federal Government in performing their shared roles for effective policy coordination and development of appropriate systems to measure the performance of government.

 

Declaring the forum open, His Excellency the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, recognized the contribution and commitment of development partners towards improving Lagos State and the Southwest region of Nigeria.

 

Some key resolutions from the meeting, include:

  • Holding regular interface meetings to share lessons and best practice;
  • Using virtual platforms for non-interface meetings;
  • Promotion of experience sharing to address issues faced by states;
  • Problem-solving case studies;
  • Study tours;
  • Creation of an online platform for SSGs and PSs Cabinet Affairs Offices at federal and state levels.

 

After the meeting, a delegation paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency the Governor of Lagos State. The Governor welcomed the implementation of a CoP as a forum to share, learn and retain best practice to promote inclusive governance. DFID-PERL continues to support states and regions in Nigeria towards improving governance and effective service delivery to citizens.