“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that Nigerians are beginning to reap the benefits of petrol subsidy removal.
Despite the widespread suffering and slow deployment of palliatives, Senator George Akume, representing Tinubu, expressed confidence in a promising future for Nigerians during the 2023 Civil Service Week Gala/Award Night in Abuja.
He said, “The first two policies that I announced during my inauguration, namely the removal of the fuel subsidy and the new forex regime, are already yielding positive results. We have received support and commendation from the global community for our courage in introducing these policy shifts.
“We shall, without delay, cushion the pains we experience by our people as a result of these measures, through a number of work-targeted policy interventions aimed at giving adequate relief and succor to the great number of our long-suffering citizens.”
He further commended the Head of Service (HoS) on what he described as holistic digitalization moves, saying that the challenges faced in Nigeria leave no option to continue on the analog front.
The President, who described digitalization as a compelling choice, added that the civil service is the fulcrum of governance.
Further stating that there must be a paradigm shift to make policy-making and governance seamless, he said, “It is in this regard that I am pleased to note that adopting digitalization of web processes in the public service is the gateway to efficient resource utilization and national development, and it is apt and appropriate for this commemoration.
“The challenges we face today with governance leave no option to continue on the analog front. The task before us as a people and government are daunting, but the process of success is promising if we make the right choices. Digitalization is a compelling choice, and we must take it. The expectations of the civil service this year are full; this is so because the expectations of this administration for the civil service are full. This is so because the civil service is the fulcrum for governance; our vision and mission are predicated on the instrumentation, policies, and programs to spur the National Economic multidimensional front.
“Many tough but needful policy and paradigm shifts will be in place to reposition governance for efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity. To match the expectations of this administration, the civil service must increase its reforms, set under the six pillars of the federal civil service strategy, and implementation plan 2021 to 2025 must be focused and attained.”
Speaking earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, challenged all Ministries, extra-Ministerial Agencies, and Parastatals on the need to ensure that the Rewards and Recognition Scheme (R&RS) in the Civil Service are implemented in a timely, clear, transparent and inclusive manner.
She emphasized that the Scheme is a globally recognized and accepted practice, which has been institutionalized in the Federal Civil Service as one of the critical deliverables of Pillar Six of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP 25) – Enhancing Value Proposition for Civil Servants.
During the event, several top prizes were awarded, including a Brand New 2022 JAC JS4 Luxury Model SUV won by Mrs. Juwon Olayiwola of the Federal Ministry of Education, a 2-Bedroom Semi-Detached Bungalow won by Mr. Nwachukwu of Service Welfare Office, OHCSF, and the 3rd prize, a Plot of Land, allocated to Mrs. Chukweke Stella Oluchi from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
In recognition of outstanding performance in implementing the FCSSIP 25, some Permanent Secretaries and Directors also received Letters of Commendation. Among them was Dr. Earnest Umakhihe from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed from Finance, Budget and National Planning (Finance), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack from Science Technology and Innovation, Mr. James Sule from Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and Mr. Adeniyi Dada, the Director of Information and Communication Technology-OHCSF.
