Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday presented long service merit awards to 555 public servants who had distinguished themselves over the years, just as he restated his commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.

The Governor who spoke at the Merit Awards ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, congratulated the recipients of the award, saying that their diligence, hard work and sacrifice has contributed immensely to the success story of the State since its creation in 1967.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Benson Akintola, also seized the occasion to charge public servants to continue to show good examples as law abiding citizens of the State and work together to strengthen public trust and confidence in public institutions by being proactive, diligent, responsive, innovative and timely in service delivery.

“This is the desire goal of the various reforms and restructuring that we have introduced and implemented in the last one year,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of workers in the employ of the State Government, saying that it would continue to remain top priority of his administration.

Earlier the State Head of Service, Olabowale Ademola said the objective of the award was to encourage diligence, commitment and loyalty among public servants in the State with the belief that it would spur both recipients and non-recipients alike to continue to put in their best at all times.

She said since the inception of the Award in 2006, several public servants have benefitted from the gesture, adding that this year’s edition was the 10th in the series.

Ademola also encouraged public servants yet to be honoured to continue to discharge their duties to the best of their abilities so as to merit such honour in the nearest future.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Permanent Secretary, Ola Micheal-Dawodu, who had put in 35 years of service, thanked the HOS and the Governor for giving them such honour, assuring that they would continue to make themselves available for service when called upon.