President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday listed nepotism, cronyism and political patronage as some of the corrupt practices that distract public servants from delivering on their mandates.
President Buhari spoke at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) held at the Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noting that the authorities must standardise their penal systems for punishing corruption in public service so as not to send the wrong signal to the public.
The President presented various categories of awards to 44 recipients at the event, some of whom included former President Goodluck Jonathan; the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; 16 state governors, including those of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers and Bauchi.
President Buhari noted that the fact that ministers and governors were listed among recipients of the awards underscored the fact that it is beyond just politics but a trustable indication that the picks were purely based on proof of performance.
Speaking on how corrupt practices slow public service delivery down, the President said: “At present, issues in corruption continue to affect the civil services in many countries around the world. Several reasons of these issues still exist because of the deeply rooted problems like nepotism, cronyism, political patronage as well as lack of transparency and accountability.
“These vices distract them from delivering on their mandate and aspirations.
”The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms for holding civil servants and public officials accountable of their actions will always lead to a negative impression to the citizens.
”I wish that leaders will arise and stand up to be counted among leaders who have distinguished themselves to do the right thing and leave their footprints on the sands of time.
”I am particularly happy to recognise His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, my predecessor, for his contribution to peace building from the Niger-Delta region, which was snowballed into the nation and now around the world.
“Since leaving office, he has deployed his rich experience to ensure peace in many parts of Africa and has led mediation talks in several parts of the globe.
”I want to also specially recognise Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA International Limited, for his interventions in Education through the BUA Foundation, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and his personal philanthropic initiative.
“This initiative funds tertiary education institutions in Nigeria from its yearly $100 million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. I am happy that five (5) universities have so far benefited with many more to come.
Read ALso: IYC lauds Buhari for sacking NDDC Sole Administrator
“I am equally elated to have some state governors and my ministers receive this award. This is to put on record that this award is born out of empirical evidence of performance and not politics. This award is a recognition of the giant strides you all have made towards the transformation of Nigeria, and you have consistently put hard work and dedication at the centre of your initiatives.”
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said NEAPS is an award that recognises hard work and purposeful leadership that has contributed to national development.
“The Nigerian Excellence Award in Public Service is an award that recognises and rewards innovation, purposeful leadership and other exceptional deserving individuals that have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the public service and the country at large,” he said.
Former President Jonathan also called for recognition for other cadres of service providers such as teachers that are moulding the characters of future generations, medical personnel saving lives and others.
He stated: “And let us specially thank Mr. President for coming in person to give these awards. You make this award look like the national honours that Mr. President himself has to give to people who merit it. So, we have to thank you for this gesture.
”Of course, this is quite a unique programme. The master of ceremonies said it all; the Secretary to the Government of Federation said it all.
“And when I got the letter, inviting me for today’s programme, I said what? I have to commend those who have vision that when people are working for society, there should be appreciation in words or in any other form.
“They always say that to those who more is given more is expected from them. You have selected 44 of us, honour us on a live television being watched all over the world. The only thing is that we promise that we will continue to do more for humanity.
”Let me use this unique opportunity to make a little observation. We have 36 states. And out of 36 states, from the list, 16 governors were recognised this morning. And I ask myself, out of the 774 local government chairmen, not even one is here with us. Mr Senate President and Mr. Speaker, that shows that National Assembly has some work to do.
“Probably, we need to review and look at the structure and functions of the local governments. If the local governments are functional and doing well, we expect one or two of them to be noticed by those who go around the country to assess people that should be recognised.
“I believe we need to do something about the local government structure in Nigeria. Because if the local governments are working, some of the challenges we are having, even security challenges at that level of government that is very close to the people, they would have been able to nip it at that stage.
“Let me also use this unique opportunity to appeal to those who do the selection. There are some categories of people that we must also look at. It is very difficult to reach out to them and assess them.
“It is easier to assess governors because there are only 36. You can easily assess the ministers. They are not too many. Heads of parastatals are known. But our teachers, especially those who teach at the primary and secondary level really need to be encouraged because they have the duty to mould the children. When they pass through that level of education and they are not moulded, they become nuisance to the society.
“I went to Akwa Ibom not too long ago for a programme similar to this where people were recognised and I was quite impressed. One secondary school teacher was honoured by the governor. I think we need to also look at that, especially the medical officers, doctors, nurses and paramedics. Some of them have to die to save us. We have this experience with the COVID.
“During the Ebola, I vividly remember this lady, Dr. Ameyo (Adadevoh). Of course, Babatunde Fashola remembered her very well, who saved this country from the spread of Ebola and she paid the supreme price. She died in that process.
“There is no post- humous award here. But I am saying there are people in the medical profession that have done similar things and are still alive. They need also to be recognized.” National Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) put together by The Best Strategic Media (TBS) in conjunction with the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, is meant to recognise distinguished public service by individuals and organisations, and yesterday’s event was the maiden edition of the awards.