HUMANITARIAN MINISTRY COMMITTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF REFORMS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE – GWARZO

The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, has stated that  the Ministry is committed to the advancement of reforms of the civil service and is ready to partner with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in ensuring that the civil service is transformed into world class service.

He made the statement at the Second Quarter Consultative Forum/Interactive meeting of the Directors/Heads of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement with the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Mr Okokon E. Udo, held on Wednesday 17th May, 2023, at the Nigeria Army Resource Center, Mambilla Barracks, Abuja.

Gwarzo informed that the first Consultative meeting was held on Friday 31st March, 2023 at the Office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation where it was agreed that the hosting of the consultative forum should be done by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). It was also decided that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development should  

 host the second meeting.

He said that the hosting of the meeting by the Ministry lays credence to the fact that the Ministry has been on course in driving the ongoing reforms of the Federal Civil Service as regards the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP25).

Speaking further, Gwarzo highlighted some of the achievements of the Ministry in the institutionalization of reforms since the beginning of the year which include:  Installation  Digital Signage that displays the entire content of FCSSIP25 and it’s enablers throughout office hours and even beyond. These digital gadgets are strategically displayed beside the offices of the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary, the Ministry’s conference room and in front of the Office of Director Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement. The installation was done in February, 2023:

 Roll up banners displaying the FCSSIP25 are positioned in front of the Offices of all Directors and Unit Heads in the Ministry geared towards popularizing FCSSIP25 throughout the Ministry:

Recognition of 4 LEAD-P Officers from the Ministry on the 1st March, 2023:

Organized a sensitization workshop on Culture Change for all staff of the Ministry in furtherance of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP25). The workshop was held from the 7th – 9th March, 2023.

Others are the Presentation of laptops to 4 LEAD-P Officers from the Ministry on the 15th March, 2023 by the Permanent Secretary. Two LEAD-P Officers posted to the Ministry were also received on the same day by the Permanent Secretary and Reward and Recognition ceremony for deserving staff of the Ministry scheduled for Thursday 18th May, 2023.

Gwarzo urged the attendees to make the best use of the meeting to brainstorm and interrogate how best the Civil Service can be revitalized.

In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Okokon E. Udo said that Reform in the Civil Service is dynamic and not static and the realisation of the vision of the reform starts with the civil servants.

He advocated that Directors of Reform in the various MDAs play their roles well so as to realize the vision of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi- Esan.

Udo urged Directors of Reform in MDAs to work towards entrenching the  Core Values and Pillars of the Reform in the Civil Service, which is the AMPLE Culture. The AMPLE Culture entails Accountability, Meritocracy, Professionalism. Loyalty and Efficiency. This he said will aid in achieving the Reform objectives.

Furthermore Udo stressed the need for Culture Change such as observing the work ethics which include punctuality, discipline and commitment to work. He said the objective of the Reform is to develop skills and competence, improve productivity amongst others.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, in the Ministry, Mr Valentine Ezulu said that the forum has become necessary as a result of the Reforms that are presently ongoing in the Civil Service. He said Directors of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement have been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that these reforms cascade to the MDAs.

Ezulu stated that as part of efforts in driving these reforms in the Ministry, the department popularised the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25) and has concluded arrangements for an open competition on the memorization of the FCSSIP25 and its enablers by staff of the Ministry.

He said the convening of the forum is a testimony to the fact that the Management are ambassadors of reforms hence the reason why the Permanent Secretary approved that the Ministry be the first to host this forum. He acknowledged that the Ministry have provided a conducive environment for the forum for maximum benefits.

Rhoda Ishaku Iliya

Deputy Director Information