The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday commenced a two-day induction programme for newly recruited officers of the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM) and the Assembly, as part of efforts to equip them for effective service within the legislative arm of government.
The programme, held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium within the Assembly complex, brought together 132 newly employed officers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
The induction is designed to familiarise the recruits with the operations of the Assembly, their responsibilities, ethical standards, and expectations associated with their roles.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, representing the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, urged the officers to demonstrate professionalism, productivity, and proactiveness in the discharge of their duties.
According to Onafeko, the Assembly places a strong emphasis on excellence, accountability, and quality service delivery, noting that staff members play a vital role in supporting legislative functions.
He also provided participants with an overview of the history of the Lagos State House of Assembly, explaining that the institution was established in 1979 following Nigeria’s return to democratic governance.
Onafeko noted that the Assembly is constitutionally mandated to enact laws, carry out oversight functions, and represent the interests of Lagos residents.
In her keynote address, the Chairman of LAHASCOM, Omowunmi Ogbara, advised the newly recruited officers to acquaint themselves with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules while maintaining discipline, diligence, and ethical conduct in their various departments.
She also paid tribute to two members of staff who recently passed away, describing their deaths as a painful loss to the Assembly family. Participants observed a minute of silence in their honour.
One of the facilitators at the programme, retired civil servant Mr. Femi Solaja, delivered a session on the Public Service Rules and Regulations governing public officers.
Solaja highlighted key provisions of the Code of Conduct, stressing the importance of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and professionalism in public service. He warned the recruits against corruption, misconduct, and actions capable of bringing the service into disrepute.
He further underscored the importance of punctuality, regular attendance, and commitment to duty, noting that public servants are expected to carry out their responsibilities diligently and comply with lawful directives.
The retired civil servant also reminded participants that official information obtained in the course of duty must be treated as confidential and should not be disclosed without proper authorisation.
In addition, he encouraged the officers to embrace innovation, teamwork, and dedication while taking advantage of welfare packages and leave benefits available to public servants.
The induction programme featured interactive sessions that enabled participants to engage with management staff and seek clarification on issues relating to their responsibilities.
The training is expected to continue on Tuesday with additional sessions focusing on legislative procedures, administrative processes, and the core values guiding the operations of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
About The Author
