By Adenike Ayodele
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), has urged junior officers to uphold teamwork and integrity.
Pedro gave the charge at the opening of a two-day Junior Officers’ Workshop organised by the state Ministry of Justice in Ikeja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop has the theme: “From Potential to Performance: Empowering Junior Officers for Excellence in Service Delivery”.
Pedro said effective delivery of justice was a collective responsibility that goes beyond the work of lawyers alone.
He said the workshop was designed for non-lawyer staff whose contributions were vital to the overall effectiveness of the ministry.
According to him, the ministry comprised professionals in administration, finance, accounts, human resources, information technology, records, library services, procurement, registry, research and public relations.
“Every officer has a role to play as the quality of your work contributes directly or indirectly to the effectiveness of the ministry,” he said.
Pedro urged the officers to imbibe integrity, saying public servants occupied positions of trust and must handle government resources and information with honesty, transparency and accountability.
He also charged them to embrace teamwork, warning that delays in one unit could affect an entire department and ultimately impact service delivery to the public.
The attorney-general said the workshop would feature sessions on competence and productivity, office etiquette, communication and emotional intelligence, professionalism, ethics and integrity.
He added that issues relating to health, well-being and career growth within the Lagos State Public Service would also be addressed.
Pedro urged the participants to participate actively, ask questions and apply lessons learnt to their respective departments.
“The objective is not merely to acquire knowledge, but to see that the knowledge reflects in improved performance and better service delivery,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the Ministry, Mr Hameed Oyenuga, said the workshop was prioritised because junior officers represented the future workforce.
He said the officers would play important roles in the development of the justice system and urged them to translate their potential into performance.
“As you know, you represent the future because you are the important workforce.
“We should be the kind of professionals and leaders of the course. Potential is only the beginning. It must be translated to performance.
“The quality of your work matters because your duties contribute directly to the effective administration of justice,” Oyenuga said.
Oyenuga urged the officers to be successful, responsible and professional in their interactions with members of the public and colleagues.
He stressed the importance of doing the right thing, respecting deadlines, being dedicated to their duties and maintaining confidentiality and integrity.
“We are committed to respecting deadlines. We are dedicated to our duties.
“From confidential information, to colleagues and members of the working environment, maintain integrity and character in the discharge of your duties,” he said.
Oyenuga encouraged the junior officers to take ownership of their professional development by asking questions, seeking mentors and learning from experienced colleagues.
“I encourage you to take ownership of your professional development.
“Ask questions, seek mentors and learn from those who have gone before you. Take advantage of every opportunity laid before you,” he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Citizens’ Mediation Bureau, Mrs Aderinsola Olarewaju, urged the officers to recognise their important roles in the success of the Ministry of Justice.
Olarewaju likened the work of support staff to a chain, saying a break in one part could affect the entire system.
“Indeed, the work of the support staff is like a chain. If a chain is broken somewhere, then the essence of the whole thing is destroyed.
“See yourself as the chain and the link to the success of what you have to achieve in working,” she said.
She reminded the officers that their actions and conduct reflected on the ministry because they represented the Ministry of Justice wherever they went.
“So, you know that everything you do, you are representing the Ministry of Justice.
“Anything you do, when you come to life, can either withdraw the ministry or bring it to the limelight. Every conduct is important,” she said.
Olarewaju urged the officers to strengthen their individual links in the ministry’s chain, stressing that a weak link could affect the entire organisation.
She urged the participants to take the workshop seriously and make the most of the opportunity provided for their professional development.
“Please, I want you to take this workshop very seriously and understand that it is organised for a reason.
“It’s not just for you to come and sit at the back but one thing that you will be active on, as an officer, is that you should take away,” she said.
Olarewaju urged each participant to leave the workshop with something positive that could improve their performance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop featured sessions on professionalism, ethics and integrity; health and wellness; and career path and growth in the Lagos State Civil Service.
It also featured question-and-answer, reflection, feedback and interaction sessions. (NAN)
www.nannews.ng
Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma