The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack has called for renewed commitment to building a more efficient, innovative and citizen-centred Civil Service to improve public service delivery across Nigeria.
Speaking at the annual thanksgiving service marking Africa Public Service Week in Abuja, Walson-Jack described civil servants as the bedrock of socio-economic development, urging them to uphold integrity, excellence and selfless service in advancing national development.
She said the Civil Service remains committed to ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, innovation and accountability, expressing optimism that “sustained dedication by public servants would strengthen service delivery and public trust.”
Walson-Jack noted that federal civil servants were grateful for the milestones achieved and the challenges overcome, while expressing confidence that the Service would continue to fulfil its mandate effectively.
“We pray for greater wisdom, unity and strength to continue building a Service that is efficient, innovative, citizen-centred and worthy of the trust reposed in it,” she said.
In his remarks, the Resident Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Adegbe Wilson, said although the Civil Service had recorded significant improvements in recent years, there was still room for greater efficiency.
He urged civil servants to promote a culture of excellence by ensuring the prompt processing of official files.
He stressed that “improved welfare and better working conditions would enhance productivity and service delivery.”
Wilson also appealed for sustained efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants, noting that better remuneration and living conditions would enable them to serve the nation more effectively.
He said; “Their work is demanding, but it can become even more difficult because they do not make the final approvals.
“I appeal to President Bola Tinubu, to make it easier for civil servants to carry out their duties. Mr President, you have done well, but you can do more to Improve their welfare.
“It is not right for someone to serve their country for 35 years and still not own a house. It is not right for someone to dedicate decades to national service and yet be unable to pay their children’s school fees.”
