Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has laid emphasis on civil servants who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning, adding that such culprits must be made to refund the money fraudulently collected.
Tinubu who disclosed this at the award and gala night of the 2024 Civil Service Week held Saturday night in Abuja, expressed worries over this act, saying it is very heartening to hear that measures have taken, also assured that those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.
“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected. Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch”, the President said.
Tinubu noted that Nigerian Civil Service cannot just be a workplace where ‘anything is possible,’ where workers violate rules without fear of punishment or repercussion. “The civil service of any nation is important for such misconduct to take root or be tolerated”.
He added, “The Civil Service is the bedrock, the engine, the locomotive of govt, which is necessary for the govt to deliver public goods to citizens. As politicians, we are no more than drivers of the locomotives that you provide.
“Those who say that a nation is as good as its civil service are close to the truth. You are the real establishment that remains to pilot government affairs as we politicians come and go”, the President said.
Tinubu recalled over the decades, successive governments initiated various National Development Plans and programs, and all relied on the Civil Service to translate such plans into high-impact programs and projects across all sectors of the nation’s economy.
“We look to you to continue this legacy under our administration. Therefore, we’re steadfast in our commitment to cultivating, empowering, and professionalizing our human capital within the Civil Service. It is imperative to foster a culture of excellence and instill confidence among our civil servants”.
The President said his administration acknowledges the challenges civil service faces while giving the assurance that his govt are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation.
“Over the past year, I have provided all the necessary support to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the continued stability of the civil service and to implement far-reaching policies and reforms capable of improving efficiency and service delivery.
“Also, within the last year, our administration approved the implementation of civil service reforms in the Federal Capital Territory administration.
“With this development, the FCT administration now has its civil service commission, Head of Service and six permanent secretaries.
“Now, the workers can aspire to reach the pinnacle of their careers before retiring. I hope the week-long event has provided an opportunity not just to celebrate the achievements of the service but also reflect on what it can do better”.
The President said, “It is heartwarming to note that the Federal Civil Service is driving a strategic plan that is aligned with priorities of our Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Plan, I am aware, prioritises Capacity Building, Talent Management through which well-structured training such as the LEAD-P and SMAT-P are conducted”.
Tinubu commended the dedication of the Nigerian Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi -Esan, in steering these reforms towards creating a world-class service that upholds meritocracy and excellence.
He urged the Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives for swift implementation of these reforms within their respective ministries, saying his commitment to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda demands urgency, without compromising due process.
“I am aware that due process must be followed in conducting government business but that should not give room for any form of red-tapes or insistence on unnecessary bureaucracies.
“We have pledged to work for the Nigerian people, and it is critical that all civil servants, and indeed all public servants, recognize the key role they must play in the achievement of our national potential”, the President said.
