… As Commissioner Engages Civil Servants on Self-Discovery
Lagos State Civil Servants have been advised to rediscover themselves and devote their time to what truly makes them happy as individuals, even while they carry out their duties within the State Public Service.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, stated this on Wednesday, when he featured as the first member of the State Executive Council at the maiden edition of Exco Shares, a platform created by the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions.
He challenged Civil Servants to look beyond their civil service career and be deliberate in living an impactful life that would serve as a source of fulfilment even in retirement.
While imploring them not to be envious of the successes of others or wanting to be like someone else, Olowo opined that individuals should be aware of the fact that every human being is different and as such their IKIGAI – a Japanese concept to describe a reason for being and living a life of purpose – cannot be the same, adding that the concept emphasises the importance of self-discovery useful for finding contentment in life.
The Commissioner described the interactive session as apt, saying that, “a regular brainstorming session is needed for us to reset and live our lives purposefully. IKIGAI will help us to live purposefully, internationally and consciously”.
Dr. Olowo, who likened the human journey in life to that of a motor vehicle, maintained that each individual must stay in control of their journey, “take rest when appropriate in order to get reinvigorated for more distance, drive smart, maintain your lane, refuel, ask for direction and obey all traffic and driving rules”.
Speaking on the importance of discovering one’s IKIGAI, the Commissioner said that it is profitable to find and pursue one’s IKIGAI with every seriousness, stressing that anything less of that is not worth one’s limited time on earth.
Also speaking during the interactive session, the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Ajibola Ponle, explained that the intention of the State Government is to provide a platform for civil servants to interact with members of the Executive Council on developmental issues and discourse.
Ponle said that the interactive session was a continuation of the S.H.I.F.T initiative of the Ministry introduced in year 2020 as an interactive knowledge-sharing platform, assuring that the Ministry will continue to engage members of the Executive Council and the State’s workforce on how to better the Lagos State Public Service.
She underscored the need for both the political appointees and the career civil servants to work together for the attainment of a Greater Lagos that will increase the positive perception of members of the public about the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
While noting that it is never too late to rediscover one’s self, the Commissioner charged the participants to take time and study themselves more to identify what gives them joy and what they do efficiently and effortlessly, saying that true happiness lies in doing what makes one happy.
