By Frank Momoh
The Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, weekend urged the 182 newly inducted Officers to Planning officers in the Service to key into the 9-point agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Yemi-Esan gave the charge at an induction course for the newly converted Planning Officers organized by her office in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), in Abuja, Dr. Yemi
According to her the officers are expected to conceptualize, coordinate and track implementation of policies of the federal government.
She expressed optimism that with the rigorous training they had undergone, the graduands are now well placed to tackle numerous challenges caused by dearth of proper planning in the Service.
While applauding the participants for their zeal, she said: “The journey is only beginning, this is because, the knowledge and skills garnered in the duration of the course is to be applied hands-on in designing and driving government strategic plans.”
She also advised participants to demonstrate exceptional capacity in their irrespective MDAs towards the delivery of Ministerial mandates.
According to her, the graduands must be committed in the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021-2025 and the National Development Plan for 2021-2025 recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The National Development Plan, she added is structured along six clusters including: Economic Growth and Development, Infrastructure, Public Administration, Human Capital Development, Social Development and Regional Development.
The 9-point agenda of the present administration, she added includes: stabilizing the macro economy; achieving agricultural and food security; ensuring energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products; improving transportation and other infrastructure; driving Industrialization; improving health, education and productivity of Nigerians, enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction; fighting corruption and enhancing governance; as well as improving security for all.
She revealed that 2000 candidates applied for conversion into Planning Officer cadre, while 650 candidates were shortlisted leading to the selection of 257 candidates.
However, 182 candidates will soon be presented to the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) for conversion.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, OHCSF, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi said that the entire service is looking up to the planning officers for the development and implementation of planning activities in the service, adding that planning is important in every organization.
While saying that there is high demand for planning officers, Ogunbiyi also revealed that the Office is working on the next batch of applications for Planning Officers.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Dr. Turkur Ingawa, advised the graduands to be disciplined in discharging their duties.
He also solicited for more waivers from the OHCSF to enable the Commission employ more officers into the Federal Civil Service.
The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Dr. Folarin, Gbadebo Smith said that the introduction of the Planning Officers’ cadre into the service is a great innovation that will set the country on the right track in the future.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olusola Idowu called for professionalization of the Planning cadre as obtained in Legal and other cadres in the service for effective discharge of its mandates.
