The Nigerian Civil Service predates the nation's 1999 Constitution as it had been in existence for decades before the birth of the said constitution.
However, Section 169 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) created the 'Civil Service of the Federation' when it stated that:
"there shall be a Civil Service of the Federation". The appointment of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is also enshrined in section 171 (1) & (2) (a) thus, "power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the President. The offices to which this section applies are, namely: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation".
Being a legal entity in the eyes of the constitution, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) is saddled with "implementing government policies and programmes with diligence and commitment for advancing the welfare and well-being of the citizenry through the judicious use of human, material and financial resources and qualitative service delivery based on observance of the Rule of Law and Due Process."
Documents obtained from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) showed that the Federal Civil Service under the leadership of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation recognizes the service as the engine of governance with key contributory roles by the private sector as stakeholders in the development process.
"In this regard, the OHCSF creates platforms to promote public/ private partnerships in the development of competencies and exchange of professional ideas/ knowledge. It also pursues the capacity development of officers through the efforts of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), the Public Service Institute and the Federal Training Centres to harness the staff potentials for self-development and promotion of the common good.
In the pursuit of these objectives as encapsulated in the vision, mission and mandate of OHCSF, government placed the supervision of some parastatals and administrative centres under the OHCSF."
The Mandate of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is: To be responsible for leadership, management and capacity development of all civil servants for effective, efficient and accountable service delivery to the public. Its Mission on the other hand is: To provide a professional civil service that is anchored on stewardship, trust and stakeholder engagement that ensures MDAs are equipped for policy management and good governance. At the same time, its Vision is to develop: A modern Public Service Organisation that provides world class service for sustainable national development.
The Nigerian Civil Service prides itself as the machinery through which the government implements its policies, designed to meet political aims and provide social services. This however, does not preclude the legislative and the judicial arms of government in the attainment of the objectives of the Civil Service.
However, some events like the pension scam and the ghost worker syndrome and a host of others continue to dent the image of the Service.
Despite the wave of backlash generated by such incidences, the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Goni Aji has read the riot act to civil servants saying he would not condone indolence and nepotism.
Aji is of the firm belief that promotions in the civil service especially from the Directorate cadre to that of Permanent Secretary should be based on merit rather than some obscure rationale that cannot be defended.
At an interface with civil servants at the receently-concluded civil service week in Abuja, Aji restated his commitment to punish laziness and corruption in the Service while rewarding hard work.
Speaking on the theme, "Nigerian Public Service in the Age of Open Government: Giving voices to the people", Aji said, "The implementation of the new Performance Management System (PMS), which allows opportunity for rewarding excellence and punishment for indolence, is receiving full attention."
He added: "We are strengthening the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit in MDAs so that it can engage in more enlightenment activities. We are also partnering with anti corruption agencies to achieve similar purposes."
CONTINUES NEXT WEEK>>
National Mirror