In the annual Head of Service Games, workers in the state’s civil service engage in various mental and physical sporting events, ranging from Football to Chess, Ayo, Table Tennis, Tug of War, and Sprint and Court events among others.
The addition of more games has deepened participation across local government and local development areas. The mandatory comprehensive medical examination, a prerequisite for participation, has improved the health status of the Lagos state workforce.
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro stated these in his welcome speech at the Grand Finale of the 17th Edition of the Lagos Head Of Service Games held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium. He also added that the annual sporting event has helped boost productivity and public service delivery.
Agoro, the 22nd HOS State Public Service, listing the merits of hosting a sporting event for civil servants noted that it has a fringe benefit of exposing civil servants in the mental and physical games to comprehensive medical examination, which he says is made compulsory for every participant.
Agoro, who was superintending the all-ministerial sporting event for the first time as HOS, reiterated its primary objectives as fostering the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, as well as promoting the culture of physical fitness and mental wellness amongst Public Servants in the State.
Noting that the games have expanded both in the number of events and participation by civil servants across ministries in the state, Agoro said that the wide acceptance has engendered total fitness of the Public Servants.
“Aside from the fun aspect of the competition, the “HOS GAMES” has annually been serving as another avenue for participating Civil Servants to undergo mandatory medical examination/ assessment to ascertain their health status, while a Medical Certificate of Fitness was issued to each participant”.
Stressing that it is beneficial to their mental and physical well-being, improving “a great deal and as such translating to work efficiency and effectiveness.” This he stressed is apart from discovering new and hidden talents among males and females.
Agoro also described the successes and benefits of the event as parts of efforts by the state government, under the leadership of Governor Babajjde Sanwo-olu, to encourage the psycho-motor development of a healthy and mentally alert workforce towards the provision of effective and efficient service delivery to Lagosians.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-olu, and his deputy, Dr. Hamzat Obafemi Kadri, for their all-time unflinching support to the success of the HOS Games. He also thanked other members of the state executive and partner government MDAs for their contribution towards the success of the event, the HOS urged participants and the entire civil service to keep maintaining the camaraderie and sportsmanship fostered throughout the games among themselves, even as the state strive to provide them with best working condition.
“On this note, I cannot but appreciate the contributions of our partners in progress in the Public Service such as Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS); Ibile Oil & Gas; Lagos State Printing Corporation; Lagos State Sports Commission; Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA); Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, others include, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC); Ministry of Youth and Social Development; Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and Lagos State Public Works Corporation.
“My gratitude also goes to the Honourable Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Members of the State Executive Council, our Royal Fathers here present, and other guests for honouring our invitation at short notice, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, Director, Welfare Matters, Mr. Kayode Ogbe, and the entire members of the Committee for their efforts in organising this successful event. I must say, we appreciate your steadfastness and dedication in ensuring we have a hitch-free competition.
