The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has said that the ongoing reforms in the civil service in Nigeria are predicated on ensuring that service delivery by civil servants meets the current expectations of Nigerians.
Walson-Jack, who is the Chairman of the National Council on Establishments (NCE), described the apex policy-making body of civil service administration as a critical and indispensable mechanism for the effective implementation of government policies in the country.
She spoke while delivering her keynote address at the official opening ceremony of the Council meeting in Ede, Osun State. This was conveyed in a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Eno Olotu, on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the HCSF also reiterated the commitment of the Civil Service to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that the capacity of the Service to plan, implement, and monitor government initiatives effectively and efficiently is crucial to the achievement of national goals.
She expressed appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Osun State, Senator (Dr) Ademola J. Adeleke for graciously hosting the NCE, and for the warm hospitality extended to all stakeholders and participants.
She added that her office remained resolute in providing necessary support to the State Heads of Service through enhanced collaboration and partnerships on capability building, leading to the actualisation of shared goals, objectives, and aspirations of the service.
‘’As my maiden edition of the NCE meeting, I want to reaffirm that the unity and commitment of all public sector stakeholders are critical to the success of our ongoing reforms, and our dedication and efforts are essential in ensuring that the civil service meets the current expectations of Nigerians and evolves to serve the public more effectively,’’ Walson-Jack had stated.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, represented by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, welcomed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and all Members of Council to the “State of the Living Spring.”.
Governor Adeleke described the public service as the driving force behind his administration’s progress, emphasising that the welfare of workers and pensioners is a top priority in his 5-Point Action Plan.
He called for meaningful and constructive deliberations of the Council leading policies that will propel the nation forward.
Governor Ademola Adeleke described the public service as the wheels of progress of his administration, adding that the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state is a key priority of his government as encapsulated in his 5-Point Action Plan. He sued for meaningful and constructive deliberations of the Council leading policies that will advance the nation.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishments and Public Service Matters, Senator Oluwole Cyril Fasuyi, in his goodwill message commended the Nigeria Civil Service as the engine room of government operations and a critical contributor to the unity, growth, and development of Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategy Office, in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Deborah O.N. Odoh, in her vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Osun State for their generosity and hospitality.
She acknowledged the dynamic leadership of the HCSF and all the State Heads of Service, praising their commitment to driving reforms in their respective jurisdictions. Dr. Odoh also expressed gratitude to all delegates and other stakeholders for their contributions towards creating a more robust, stronger, and more efficient public service.
The Council Meeting, presided over by the Chairman, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, with the Heads of Service of the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT as members, was preceded by the technical meeting of officials comprising Permanent Secretaries of Establishments from across the federation and the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategy Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, members underscored the importance of continued collaboration on best practices in the public service between the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the States Heads of Service.
The meeting also reaffirmed the vital role of the AMPLE values in restoring public confidence in the public service.
The meeting considered thirty-two Memoranda on various Establishment matters and approved the expansion of the entry requirements of selected cadres, the adoption of modern technology and innovation in administrative processes and digitalization of the COMPRO examinations within the Service, the extension of payment of Occupational Hazard Allowance to some Agricultural Professionals in the Public Service; and the comprehensive review of the Schemes of Service to reflect Council’s approvals.
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