Jeffrey Adaralegbe, Nigeria.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, has praised the Federal Civil Service strategic plan drive for being in line with the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda. By urging all civil and public servants to take their responsibilities seriously in order to successfully execute the country’s goals, he further reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to serving the interests of the Nigerian people. While in Abuja for the 2024 Civil Service Week, he provided the assurance at an award and gala night ceremony.
In the person of Senator George Akume, CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the President expressed gratitude for Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR’s commitment to prioritizing certain reforms, including talent management and capacity building through an organized mandatory training program (SMAT-P), as well as for her innovative ideas. Nonetheless, he pledged that his administration would never waver in its efforts to nurture, empower, and professionalize the human capital of the civil service while maintaining welfare and development standards, all in an effort to maximize the contributions of civil servants to the advancement of our country.
“I have given the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation all the assistance he needs to maintain the stability of the Service and to enact comprehensive policies and reforms that can enhance effectiveness and service provision. Within your respective Ministries, I implore you to expeditiously execute these reforms. With due process intact, we must act quickly to fulfill our commitment to implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
In light of the information disclosed by the Head of the Civil Service about workers who moved overseas and continued to receive their salaries without filing for resignation, Mr. President demands that those responsible, including those who encouraged and supported them, be held accountable and that the money these individuals received be reimbursed.
The SGF urged the Awardees to remain committed to their responsibilities and pursue excellence in serving the country, despite praising them for their outstanding service that demonstrates their integrity, efficiency, and dedication to a better Nigeria. “With recognition comes more responsibility,” he continued.
According to the Head of the Service of the Federation, “the Service must not be seen as a dumping ground for job seekers but must attract the best and the brightest, who will contribute fresh ideas and demonstrate the determination and capability to drive national plans toward solving our socio-economic problems.” She emphasized the need for an incentive system that rewards innovation and high performance while addressing underperformance in her welcome address. Enhancing Value Proposition for Civil Servants (Staff Welfare), the sixth pillar of FCSSIP25, is integrated with an annual Reward and Recognition System (R&RS), which she reaffirmed the Office’s determination to develop into a sustainable framework.
As Dr. Yemi-Esan expressed gratitude to His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his tireless efforts to improve worker welfare through the N35,000 temporary wage award for all Federal Government employees paid by the Treasury and continuous efforts to review the national minimum wage, she also pointed out that the Office of the Head of Service has not been operating alone in terms of improving the value proposition for Civil Servants. She went on to say that the Office uses cooperation with stakeholders and business partners to advance its reform initiatives. She claims that because of the established partnerships, the level of intervention on R&RS has increased. These partnerships include: the establishment of an Endowment Fund, funded by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, for every top-performing civil servant from the MDAs; the Federal Public Service Entrepreneurship Program, in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture; the annual provision of Group Life Assurance (GLA) Coverage for Federal Government Employees; and the provision of affordable housing at a single-digit interest rate through the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Program, in partnership with the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB). Notably, the FISH Program, in partnership with the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), has recently celebrated a historic accomplishment of developing 116 units at Gwagwalada.
She also disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun donating six Toyota Camry cars to the Office in honor of the 2024 Civil Service Week. These cars will be given as awards to the officers who perform the best in the running for the runners-up position.
The Aig Imoukheude Foundation Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukheude, praised the Head of Service’s efforts in bringing the Nigeria Civil Service to the forefront in their Goodwill Messages.
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