Lagos hails retired official’s legacy in urban renewal drive

The Lagos State Government, through its officials, has celebrated the distinguished career of Gbolahan Oki, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Office of Urban Development. The accolades showered upon him at a retirement ceremony underscore his profound impact on the state's urban landscape and public service over 26 years.

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He was feared because he did his job efficiently, and we wish him a peaceful rest in his retirement.

Officials, including the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, and the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbaye Florence, referred to Oki as a "legend" and a "father figure." They highlighted his efficiency, bravery, and unwavering dedication to the development of Lagos. His tenure was marked by a commitment to ensuring that public service operated with the efficiency akin to a private company, a testament to his rigorous approach to governance and urban planning.

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He is a legend and a father figure. He didn’t see any impossibility in anything. He has had a positive impact in Lagos State and has shown resilience.

Oki's retirement marks the end of an era for the Lagos State civil service, leaving behind a legacy of transformative changes in urban renewal. His colleagues emphasized that he championed reforms and drove positive change, leaving "shoes that will not be easy to fill." Oki himself urged civil servants to remain diligent and focused on doing the right thing, reflecting on his own service as an experience of "doing what I know how to do best."

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As a public servant, I was just trying to do what I know how to do best. I will urge others to keep doing the right thing and be diligent. You don’t judge a book by its cover because you don’t know what is inside it. The heart is what really matters.