President Jonathan affirms willpower to improve civil service feat

[The InfoStrides]

"The Federal Government will continue to provide the necessary impetus to position the Civil Service for better service delivery, " President Goodluck Jonathan told participants at the send-forth dinner organised in honour of the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Isa Bello Sali on Tuesday September 26, 2013 in Abuja.

 

The President who was represented by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo noted that meaningful growth and development has direct relations with the quality of the Civil Service; adding that this underscores Government's commitment to providing a vibrant, responsive and effective Civil Service that can stand the test of time.

 

He tasked those in the service to continue to review the system, in order to tackle challenges from modern management trends and provide necessary support to political leadership.

 

He expressed delight for the practice of rewarding excellence in the Civil Service; stressing that his administration will be firm on the initiative. He also noted that such recognitions validate the efforts of Government towards greater efficiency for the service. He remarked that this attitude suggests good governance.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan, however, congratulated the former Head of Service, Isa Bello Sali for being celebrated by his immediate constituency. "To appreciate a man after service goes a long way to demonstrate his invaluable contributions while in active service," he observed. He acknowledged that during the period of his stewardship as Head of Service, Isa Sali demonstrated courage and commitment in the implementation of the reforms aimed at renewing and re-invigorating the service. The President urged him to continue to proffer valuable advice to the Service on best human and material management practices.

 

Speaking earlier, the present Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Goni Aji revealed that it has become a tradition to celebrate officers who are retiring meritoriously from the service. He noted that Bello Sali made invaluable contributions throughout his years in the Civil Service.

 

Bukar Goni Aji indicated that in order to deliver on the tenets of President Jonathan's Transformation Agenda, the Civil Service has commenced a peer review programme among Permanent Secretaries. Adding, this would enable them to be focused and remain loyal while implementing programmes. He further disclosed that the programme would help in assessing successes and failures as well as improve the performance management strategy for achieving the country's transformation objectives.

 

In his response, the out-gone Head of Service, Isa Bello Sali expressed gratitude to the Nigerian President and the Civil Service system for the recognition accorded him. He also urged the people in service to unite in condemning those acts that negatively affect the image of the service. "There was no interference from the political leadership during my tenure and the same should be accorded the current leadership of the service," he called.

 

Isa Bello Sali received an excellence award following his retirement from the service on the 23rd of March 2013 after reaching the mandatory sixty years and having been sworn in as the Head of Service of the Federation on Friday, October 30, 2011 by President Jonathan.

 

Present at the occasion were: the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim as well as members of the Federal Executive Council, past heads of service, serving and former permanent secretaries, among others.

 

Source: President Jonathan affirms willpower to improve civil service feat