…Tasks workers on time-honoured virtues at work/practice
By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government has called on civil servants in the country to imbibe the time-honoured virtues of training, retraining and adoptive skills in consonance with modern work practices, ethics and processes in order to help government evolve and promote programmes and policies that will impact on the lives of the citizenry.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, gave the charge in her office in Abuja during a familiarization visit to the Directorates under her Ministry.
This is coming even as she acknowledged that for any civil servant ready to attain world class status and service delivery, he or she must re-discover himself or herself and enthrone the culture of innovation both in imagination and routine work as well as develop appropriate tools for the anticipated change and emerging challenges.
She stated that the visit was part of efforts to acquaint herself with the office environment, get firsthand knowledge about the challenges confronting the staff which can likely hinder efficient service delivery to Nigerians with a view to addressing them
Jafiya, noted that Civil Servants are key to the development of any nation and must therefore enthrone the culture of innovation, both in imagination and routine work as well as develop appropriate tools for the anticipated change that goes with the emerging challenges.
The Permanent Secretary commended the Directors for their doggedness and commitment to the implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of the Federal Government and called on them to uphold the spirit of team work while also bringing their wealth of experience to bear in making sure the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun delivers on his Mandate, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led Administration.
She explained that the achievements of any public servant are evaluated by his or her efficiency, transparency, integrity, productivity and ability to impact the lives of people through the services put to drive government policies, projects and programmes.
Contemporary civil servant, according to her, must not only be a change agent but must also be able to institutionalize change in modern governance and societal development.
“Civil Servants must see themselves as seasoned technocrats for the promotion of growth, peace, stability, development, and democracy. They must encompass and exhibit values that will inspire others, institutions and individuals to be creative, innovative, patriotic and productive.” She said.
The Permanent Secretary further observed the need for civil servants to move with global realities, especially in terms of technology, information, service delivery, and ideas.
Jafiya, who informed that the civil service was the hope of all Nigerians and, as such, needed staff who are selfless, dedicated, and committed to delivering on government initiatives, expressed optimism that with the calibre of Directors and staff in the Ministry, it was set to deliver on its mandate in line with the present administration’s policy thrust.
Let me state clearly that I am impressed with the commitment of staff, especially the Directors, to their duty in the Ministry.
”I embarked on a familiarization visit to the Directorates without prior notice and I am surprised to find out that almost all the Directors and their key staff are already seated and working in this early hours of the day except for a few who I understand are on official assignment outside the Ministry.” She acknowledged.
Speaking further, she added: “I want to implore you to remain resolute, committed and ensure team work in order to enable the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun deliver on the Ministry’s Mandate.
“On our part, we are determined to create an enabling environment for every category of staff to discharge his or her duties without any hindrance. I want to assure you that the challenges identified today will be looked into within the available resources, since no challenge is insurmountable.” Jafiya stated
Responding on behalf of the Directors and staff of the Ministry, the Director Human Resources, Mrs. Olusola Dada, pledged the staff’s total commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of the Federal Government for improved socio-economic growth and development of the country.
She explained that what the Permanent Secretary, saw early this morning during the familiarization tour of offices of Directors was an impact and replication of the Minister, adding: “Your humble self, as well as your colleague, the Permanent Secretary Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo.
“Your operational team work has indeed inspired us and as you can see, we are ready to follow suit with a view to ensuring that Nigerian Economy receives the desired boost for the benefit of all our people.”
Dada thanked the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance for having the staff in their hearts, especially in relation to their training needs and welfare, and also in ensuring the creation of an enabling environment for them to efficiently discharge their functions.