The Nation Newspaper

Tag: civil service

  • A closer look at Civil Service Reforms

    A study on Administrative Reforms in Africa conducted by Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun in 2005 regarded Nigeria as a “hesitant” reformer alongside Gabon, Togo and Zimbabwe closer to the vicious cycle of non-reformers (Somalia, Sudan) than the vicious cycle of advanced reformers, (Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius). 45 long years down the line Nigeria is still hesitantly conceding to administrative reforms in the public service!

    Dr. Tunji Olaopa may not be a prophet, neither a Nostradamus who sees tomorrow, but he has been in the bureaucratic corridor of Nigeria, Africa and CAPAM long enough to know that all is not well with the Nigerian Civil Service. That is why, his passion for a professional Civil Service propels him to bring his experience as an “expert insider” to attempt a prospective prognosis, a roadmap towards achieving a world class Nigerian Civil Service in the near future. That is what Dr. Tunji attempts to do in the 372 page book: The NIGERIAN CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FUTURE: A Prospective Analysis. And who can offer a more befitting imprimatur than Dr. Christopher Kolade CON- himself one of Nigeria’s seasoned bureaucrat and technocrat- who in the Forward says, “Olaopa is offering — a timely roadmap for a return journey to a civil service of a world class quality”.

    Made up of 18 chapters, Dr. Tunji labouriously and painstakingly takes us on his visionary journey to a trajectory for the future of Nigeria’s Civil Service. He chronicles the reform dynamics of Nigeria’s Public Administration; the Politics-Administrative Interface; the beginning of the Nigerian Civil Service and reflections on the Nation’s Administrative history. Olaopa also interrogates Nigeria’s reform profile and its emergent dysfunctions, explaining why administrative reforms have failed in Nigeria. From analyzing the elements of the Civil Service Reform process which include: structure, recruitment, capacity building, performance and promotion, professionalism and modernity to accountability, Dr. Tunji examined the statist environment of the Nigerian Civil Service and how that has, one way or the other, compromised its capacity to represent the government in its task of effectively and efficiently delivering qualitative goods and services to the citizens.

    Indeed as the roadmap to the future which includes a reflection on the past, Olaopa gives us a synopsis of what he calls “a practitioner’s perspective” on bureaucratic corruption and the Public Service, noting the following as the contextual dimensions and manifestations of corruption: bribery, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, abuse of power, conflict of interest, insider trading/abuse of privileged information, favouritism and nepotism. With empirical hindsight acquired from his several researches on the bureaucracy, Tunji says that “the manifestation and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategies and control mechanisms have unfortunately recorded inadequate outcomes”. Therefore, if corruption equals, monopoly plus discretion in decision-making minus accountability, the overall objective of the anti-corruption strategies should be “to increase the level of transparency and accountability”.

    Dr. Tunji also unravels the pay and compensation conundrum and its effect on productivity: if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Nigeria needs to adopt a new style management in terms of the management of the salary/wage set up of the Civil Service, bearing in mind her social and economic environment. This is a solution framework for industrial relations and Nigeria’s productivity challenges. In envisioning the future of the Nigeria Civil Service, Dr.Tunji does not claim puritanical ideas. He examines the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms (NSPSR) Reform Blueprint, and concludes that “it can be negotiated through a 5-Point Agenda” by creating a new generation of public managers committed to the agenda of a new productivity paradigm; Reengineering of MDA management system into performance-oriented, technology-enabled and social compact or accountable business model; strengthening and leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to facilitate and deepen effective and efficient service deliveries; Reorienting the public service into a rebranded profession and a leadership development scheme that empowers.

    But how can this be done? In prescribing the building of a new generation of public managers/leaders, Dr. Tunji examines the New Zealand model, the German ‘Slim State’ model, the Nordic model and the New Public Governance model which lay emphasis on managerialism as the paradigm of organizational efficiency and suggests that “the Public Service should be carried on by the admission into its lower ranks of a carefully selected body of young men ( and women) who should be employed from the first upon work suited to their capacities and their education and should be made constantly to feel that their promotion and future prospects depend entirely on the industry and ability with which they discharge their duties”- a return to professionalism.

    In addition to the above, the Service needs to get back to the basic right in terms of creating a core institutional framework for managing the reform process. This entails ownership of the Reform Management Strategy and he presented many models for managing the reform process which could include sustaining the present arrangement and the strengthening of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) which coordinates all reforms in the Public Service including issues of governance, institutional reforms, service delivery and efficiency improvement, cost economy, and rightsizing etc.

    Dr. Tunji equally suggests a critical rethinking of personnel and performance, the role of the Civil Service Commission and the imperative of Human Resource Management (HRM) under a New Public Management paradigm. His prospective opinion is that “the advantages of best practices in HR management can be better deployed within a decentralizing context”.

    The Nigerian Civil Service is very critical but at the same time dysfunctional, that is why Dr. Tunji  says that he “ realized the significant imperative of a functional, efficient and professionally capacitated civil service within the context of a framework of good governance” as an “urgent desideratum of the Nigerian government”. Olaopa is optimistic the Nigerian Civil Service though short on service delivery to the people now can live up to this responsibility , but it “has a significant date with its own future as a rehabilitated and responsive institutional framework dedicated to policy implementation and service delivery”. Will the Heads of Service, Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Reform Agencies and other MDAs take this “manifesto” for the reform of the Nigerian Civil Service as provided by Dr. Tunji Olaopa and run with it for the good of the Service and good governance? Time will tell.

  • Plateau restates commitment to service delivery

    Plateau restates commitment to service delivery

    Plateau State Governor Jonah David Jang has said his administration would focus more on service delivery to the people this year. This, he said, would be achieved through massive infrastructural development which would have direct impact on the life of the people.

    He also said his administration would establish more novel development projects that are necessary for the well-being of the people, even as he said all ongoing projects spread across the state would be completed.

    Governor Jang spoke during the last executive council meeting for 2013 held at Government House Jishe, Jos.

    Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Commissioner for Information Yiljap Abraham said: “Government has tagged 2014 as a year of service delivery for the Da Jonah Jang-led administration because this year is the last full year the administration has left. In 2015, the administration will bid the people farewell.

    “It is service delivery in the sense that being a government whose tenure will elapse by May 2015; this New Year will be used to complete all ongoing projects. There are numerous of such projects spread across the state. There is the possibility of initiating new projects if necessary, but such new projects must be completed this same year.

    “This does not mean that no projects have been completed since the inception of this administration. President Jonathan came to inaugurate a number of projects in 2011. Now that we are approaching the final year of this administration, all arrangements have been concluded to ensure all ongoing projects are completed by June, this year. Mr President will come to inaugurate them.

    “Funds for these projects have been made available to contractors. The government does not owe any contractor, and we expect them to complete the projects according to specifications and ensure they deliver on time without compromising quality.

    “The government has presented the 2014 budget called ‘Budget of Continuity and Inclusive Growth’. It’s aimed at completing all ongoing projects as we have resolved not to leave any project uncompleted at the end of our tenure.” said Yiljap

    Continuing, Yiljap said: “All the commissioners serving in this administration are expected to submit progress report on progress of all ongoing projects to government. There will be close monitoring of ongoing projects this year to ensure that government realised its dream of completing them by June, this year.

    The government had embarked on a mid-term review last year to ascertain the administration’s level of commitment.

    “After a three-day retreat, it was confirmed government is on track and has not derailed from its focus.

  • Civil service group lifts disabled, women with N8m

    Over 100 persons living with Disabilities (PWD) in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were full of joy when the Federal Civil Service Staff Cooperative Society gave out relief materials and cash gifts totalling N8m.

    They all promised to  make judicious use of the items and money given to them.

    One of the beneficiaries, a widow, Talatu Usman and also a resident of Bwari area council lauded the FG for the initiative,noting that with the money given to her, she will be able to start a petty trade and feed her  family.

    Another cripple, Bala Mamud said that with the initiative he intend to go back to school to acquire his OND certificate while his two sons will go back for their WAEC examinations.

    He said: “I am so happy with what the Federal Government has done for us today .Before now we were begging on the streets to feed “

    The National Coordinating Chairman of the group, Alhaji Iliasu  Abdul-rauf stated that the initiative was an arrangement from the board of directors of the office to enable the People With Disabilities move out of the streets.

    He explained that the sum of N5million given them was to ensure that the PWD pay their children school fees while the sum of N3million will be used to empower them.

    According to him, the programme will be a quarterly events which will be done in all the geo-political zones in the country , adding that measures are already in place to ensure that these items get to the disables.

    He said: “We are just kick starting the programme here in Abuja , then we will move to Kaduna , Lagos , Cross river and others . We also have officers in place to monitor the distribution of the items and to ensure that the beneficiaries get them”

    Iliasu lauded the state governors, FCTA, Women Affairs ministry, UNDP for their support and also other foreign donors.

    Parts of its achievement, Iliasu said included provision of  skill acquisition programme to the PWD, rehabilitation and training centres.

    “We have treated over 300 patients in the country, most of the PWD have gone for surgeries and it was successfully done by the Federal Staff Hospital , while some were referred to Kano Dala hospital,” He said.

    The Chairman further advised the PWD to cooperate with them so as to abide with the policy so that they can help them stay out of the streets.

    He also advised them to make judicious use of the money given them, stating that if they are caught by the officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), they will be prosecuted .

    Items donated were Crutches, food stuff, cloths, soaps, Wheelchairs , hearing-aide among others.

  • ‘I travelled by plane 24 years after joining Civil Service’

    ‘I travelled by plane 24 years after joining Civil Service’

    I was born on March 7, 1929. But I did not start primary school until after 10 years. I was 21 years old when I entered secondary school in 1950 after my primary education at Christ Church School, Ilaro, Ogun State in 1948. This was due to polygamy. My father, who is from Ibara, Ogun State, divorced my mother when I was about four years old and so my pupilage was at the village school and I was nutured by my paternal grandmother and my father’s elder brother.

    But I did not allow all that to stop me. I am very passionate about education. I wept bitterly when I could not enter Igbobi College due to late application. And I was then directed to St. Gregory’s College which I later attended. I was led there by the former Surveyor-General of Lagos State, Mr Olukunle Akinola, who was in form three, who then signed as my guardian. When I love something or someone, I write or compose something in honour of such.

     

    My creative inspiration

     

    My writings are inspired by events that challenge my political leaning or whatever I am passionate about. I started writing in my 20s and as long as I am alive, I would continue to write. In my younger days, I wrote commentaries/articles on diverse issues in the newspapers such as West African Pilot, The Nigerian Tribune, Daily Service, Daily Times. My first article was published in The Nigerian Tribune in the 60s.

    As a civil servant, I was not expected to be in politics or give opinion publicly, so I chose Adio Mosanya, which I came to be known within political and journalism circles, whereas in the Railways and labour, I was known as Jacob Adebayo Mosanya. Writing also helped me when I was into unionism.

    I am passionate about the late icon, Chief Obafemi Awolowo because of his contributions to the development of the country. And I have written several books in honour of him. My book, Post-Independence Political Evolution of Western Nigeria (The Obafemi Awolowo Factor) that was launched yesterday is meant to inspire this generation to emulate the good qualities of our past heroes. It is a combination of four of my books published in the 60s and 70s – Martyrdom of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1963), The Faults of the Yorubas (1965); Awo! The Pacesetter (1965) and Arofo Oriki Obafemi Awolowo (1969). The fifth portion of the book contains newspapers, commentaries on him by me and from newspaper columnists, especially those of The Nation like Sam Omatseye, Steve Osuji, Idowu Akinlotan (Palladium), who wrote the foreword to my book, among others.

    My granddaughter, Desola Willie-Desanya, inspired me to put all my books together. She said she saw online that the Martyrdom of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was tagged “out of print”; it dawned on me that the generation for which I wrote the book are now old and others have followed. I thought it would make a good historical material for all; and through the help of Mr Babatunde Scott, formerly of The National Mirror and others, it became a reality after about three years.

     

    My political activism

     

    It is a shame that our youths are not concerned about goings on. Unlike our days, we were concerned, politically conscious and active. We were conscious of what the government, especially that of Awolowo, was doing and were in full support. I started to play politics in Action Group (AG) while in secondary school. I was inspired by my father. When I was in secondary school, he told me to emulate two people: Headmaster of St. Pauls Catholic School, Ebute Metta, J.F Odunjo and Awolowo. I knew Awolowo while growing up because he lived in our section of Ibara. He was very brilliant and bold. It is hard to find people who are straightforward. As I grew up, he did not dwindle.

    All my political activism and activities were in Mushin. I became Chairman of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association, Mushin (1963 to 66). When Awolowo travails came in 1962, the elders disappointed. It was us, youths that were running the party at our own expense. One of our greatest motivator then was the father of Senator Ganiyu Solomon. As a sympathiser with the AG, Lateef Jakande’s writings wre also very encouraging.

    The revolution that started from Mushin, known also as Operation Wet E, was part of our contributions. Because the revolutions do not start in one day: it started germinating until it comes to boiling point. Women were also part of the revolution. Two women stood out in the struggle. They are Awolowo’s wife, Chief (Mrs) HID and the late Habibat Asabi Mogaji. Mogaji is a very great icon; the greatest mother of the Action Group. But for this type of woman, Awolowo would not have come out of prison. She and the market women were the backbone of the party. During the time we were running AG Youth Wing, the market women stood by him and us: we were their children.

    Chief HID is a heroine in her own rights. She was his most trusted partner. When her husband was carried to Lekki, she followed the husband there. She supported us too, attending most of our activities whenever she was invited.

    Lamentation for the nation

     

    The situation of things in the country is lamentable. The country is not safe anymore. It became sadder and sadder watching the promises we expected when we were leaving secondary school being constantly dashed by those who call themselves politicians. As young grandaunts, then, the firmament was very bright, look at it now – hazy.

    In our days, there were lots of scholarships that many like Wole Soyinka and others benefited from; but there are no more scholarships. I feel for parents sending their children to school now. We have brilliant brains but none to sponsor them.

    Unemployment rate is terribly high. Then, Nigerian graduates abroad used to run back home because there was something to do at home. These days, there are not enough jobs for the graduates. It is becoming harder for a good boy/girl to get a good wife/husband due to the situation of things. In our time, buying a bike was seen as signing one’s death warrant but since it has become very hard to survive, people no longer care. Yet, they have taken away their livelihood without providing them with a substitute. There are no more government-owned industries; we are basically an importing-economy.

    Our naira has no more value. When I retired in 1987, I could not raise the only house I had into two or three storey-building because they did not pay my gratuity for over two years. By the time they did, they had rubbished Nigerian currency. The military boys spoilt the country. Granted there was corruption before, put the corruption then was child’s play compared to what we have now. I fear if it is not contained, it could degenerate to some tragic. If petroleum dries up, what are we going to use to replace it?

     

    My message

     

    We must have a re-think, but how do we do it? If I say prayers, then I am not sincere. True politics is being able to affect the citizenry, positively. Our leaders should emulate the examples of people like Awolowo who serve their countries selflessly and cared about the plight of the people. His book Paths to Nigeria Freedom is a must-read for those seeking to make a great country out of Nigeria. For one to love Nigeria, one must know it. Awolowo prepared himself for the greatness of Nigeria. In his time, he tried greatly to ensure that the masses are adequately catered for through his policies.

    There was a wrestling bout in the House of Representatives recently. Let us note and respect other people’s idiosyncrasies and culture. As I said, my book preaches oneness: finding the way forward together with a common purpose.

     

    Civil service years

     

    I started working as a civil servant in 1956 and put in 31 years in service. So, I understand the plights of those working as civil servants today. That civil servants are not being paid for three months is wickedness. How much do they earn? But it is not today it started. When I was in the Nigerian Railway Corporation, we were also not paid for three months. It was easy to cope. I was on Level 05 for 24 years and after retirng my pension is N19,000, which is not even up to the newspaper I buy in a month. But for my children who are helping, how would I have been able to cope? Many pensioners have no house. And yet people are constantly stealing the pension funds and nothing happens. What is more heartless? That is why many retirees die shortly after they retire.

    I started trade unionism in 1977. The first time I entered the plane was during a strike in 1980. This was 24 years after I joined the Civil Service. Writing also helped me when I was in unionism, especially during the 1977 and 1980 strikes. I was Station Master at Oshodi and we were struggling for 40 hours per week decreed by General Olusegun Obasanjo government. But the Railway management was using us to do 84 hours with no rest at weekend and did not change. This led to the strike. I was made Station’s Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee of Station Staff when it was obvious that our union leaders had sold out. By 1981/82, I won a Labour Scholarship to USSR.

  • Civil service key to good governance

    The Ekiti State Government yesterday reiterated its commitment to building a virile civil service.

    The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, spoke in her office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while receiving the board members and Management of the State Civil Service Commission.

    She said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration recognises the civil service as the heartbeat of the government.

    Mrs. Adelabu said some of the government’s policies were strategically designed to enable the civil service function properly.

    She described members of the commission’s board and management as seasoned technocrats, who have reformed the civil service.

    The deputy governor urged the commission to organise capacity-building workshops and programmes for workers.

    The commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Afolabi Ogunlayi, said the organisation had the mandate to employ, promote and discipline civil servants, as well as ensure their welfare.

    He said the present administration inherited a commission in a shambles, with many vital issues, such as promotion, advancement and complaints, among others, left unattended to.

    Ogunlayi said with Fayemi’s support, most of the problems have been resolved. He said most of the promotion arrears and advancement requests have been addressed.

    Ogunlayi said the embargo on employment into the civil service was being lifted by the governor and a recruitment process is ongoing to fill vacancies in ministries, departments and agencies.

    He said the 2012/2013 promotion examination would be conducted before the end of the year.

  • HOS seeks civil service jobs for disabled persons

    he Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, has directed the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), to allocate certain percentage of jobs annually  for Persons With Disabilities  during recruitment across the country.

    Goni Aji gave the directive in Abuja when the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina led an advocacy visit to his office.

    He said he has already written a letter to the Head of the Civil service Commission so that the two of them can meet and work out modalities for its full take off.

    Aji assured that from next month PWD’s will have easy  access to building places, adding that there will be designated parking spaces and ramp while able person’s will be dislodged from such parking places.

    “I feel bad each time person’s with disability write me about their plight and attach their photographs, I know they cannot compete with us when it comes to strength, but we cannot beat them when it comes to brain work,” he said.

    Earlier, the Minister said their visit was to promote better understanding of the plight of PWD’s through the removal of all barriers against them.

    She stressed that making public buildings accessible is a right that must be accorded PWD’s in Nigeria.

    She said further that “Nigeria fully participated in the UN declaration for a decade of action for PWD’s in 1983-1992 and should adhere to that.’

    The Minister noted that when barriers to inclusion of PWD’s are removed the society will benefit hugely from their contributions.

  • ‘Ban on chieftaincy to sanitise civil service’

    ‘Ban on chieftaincy to sanitise civil service’

    WHAT the nation’s civil service has become synonymous with ineptitude is no news, thanks to some unwholesome culture in practice.

    Interestingly, in the Federal Government’s determination to sanitise the nation’s civil service in line with international best practices, it has placed a moratorium on the award of chieftaincy titles to individuals still in the public service.

    As part of efforts to transform the civil service, the government has imposed a ban on all civil servants to accept chieftaincy titles and other sundry awards.

    Expectedly, the present Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Bukar Goni, is at the centre of the civil service reform.

    This new policy regime was contained in a recent circular to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies by Goni, who lamented that some civil servants are in the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and awards, an act he said is inimical to the principles of anonymity, integrity and political neutrality, which are the core values of the civil service.

    Goni, however, directed that where a civil servant must hold a traditional title bestowed on him or her by inheritance or receive any awards, due clearance must be obtained from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    In a clarion call to fellow civil servants, Goni has handed a new charge to his subordinates on the need to raise the bar of professionalism in the civil service.

    “As civil servants, we should rededicate our commitment to our nation and the Nigerian people, thereby strengthening the bond of trust between government and the citizenry through the exhibition of high sense of honesty, transparency, accountability and moral and ethical behaviour,” he stressed.

    It would be recalled the wave of reform at the civil service, commenced some few years ago, during Steve Orosanye’s regime as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    Analysts, who took a retrospective look back in time to Orosanye’s tenure, recalled that a lot was done to sanitise the service, at that time it worked well. Civil servants were always punctual. “If you are ten minutes late the main gate of the Civil Service Commission at the Federal Secretariat Abuja is locked and you will have to answer to that, it was then a wakeup call for civil servants, this activities affected the high and the mighty of the civil service at that time as Permanent Secretaries, Directors were all affected.”

  • Civil service jobs now for highest bidders – Senate

    Civil service jobs now for highest bidders – Senate

    The Senate on Tuesday lamented that civil service jobs in the country are now meant for only those who can bribe their way through.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Dahiru Kuta, stated this at a stakeholders meeting with the Federal Character Commission, Board of Civil Defence, Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service, and the Federal Civil Service Commission, in Abuja.

    Kuta, who described the trend as dangerous noted that a situation where jobs go to the highest bidder breeds more corruption.

    He said that marginalization and ethnicity in the civil service have robbed the country of dedicated workers.

    He said, “In many cases some actions of the ministries, departments and agencies are scandalous.

    “I know that is part of the corruption that has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society.

    “What is more worrisome of recent is that jobs are now meant for the highest bidders.

    “We must face it squarely to find a way forward for our country.

    “Many workers do not put in their best where they work because heads of MDAs give undue advantage to people from their ethnic origin.

    “We will tackle this trend in the interest of our country.”

    Kuta gave examples to buttress his point.

    He said that groups of syndicates have been formed in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to extort and dupe innocent applicants.

    In Federal Roads Safety Commission, some people, according to the lawmaker, were dismissed for conniving with applicants while in the Nigeria Customs Service, some people were recruited through the back door.

    He wondered what kind of service is expected from an applicant who bribed his way through to secure employment.

    He warned the Federal Character Commission against indiscriminate waiver to MDAs to recruit as they deemed fit.

    A member of the Committee, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, demanded drastic action against those who ask for bribe for recruitment.

  • I didn’t support mass sack in civil service – Okonjo-Iweala

    I didn’t support mass sack in civil service – Okonjo-Iweala

    The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said she is not in support of mass sack in the civil service.

    A statement from the ministry signed by her Senior Adviser on Media, Paul Nwabuikwu, said the minister had told those canvassing for an increase in the capital budget and a “concomitant” reduction in recurrent expenditure to realise that the largest component of recurrent expenditure is personnel costs including salaries and wages.

    “Because the largest component of the nation’s recurrent expenditure is made up of personnel cost like salaries and wages, government is careful about the issue because behind those figures are human beings and families whom you cannot just throw away without considering the implications,” the minister said.

    She explained that because of this fundamental issue, the government’s immediate strategy has focused on fighting waste and the ghost worker syndrome through mechanisms like biometrics.

    Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also explained that implementing the Steve Oronsaye-led committee report on Civil Service Reforms which recommended that agencies performing the same functions be merged will have some effect on the capital-recurrent ratio, but perhaps not as much as many Nigerians would like in the short term.

     

  • Jonathan charges civil service on professionalism

    Jonathan charges civil service on professionalism

    President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the civil service cannot continue to be a clog in the wheel of development in the country.

    He also warned that bureaucracy should not be a stumbling block to progress and development

    The president charged the civil service on the need to look at things critically and reduce mistakes, saying it will be very costly if government makes silly mistakes.

    He assured that the political office holders on their part will try not to make mistakes.

    The president spoke on Wednesday during the swearing in ceremony of five Permanent Secretaries and the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Okon Ekpo.

    According to the president, “no matter the efforts put in place once the civil servants refused to move along that is the end.”

    While noting that the service needs to be tacit in its work to avoid mistakes, the president said efforts must be geared towards moving the country forward.

    This, he said, is the expectation of Nigerians.

    He pleaded with the civil servants to work with political office holders to change the country for good, stressing that the “country belongs to all Nigerians and we must make sure that we get to where our contemporaries are.”