The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan says human capital is the greatest wealth nations and institutions possess for their overall socio-economic growth.
Dr. Yemi-Essan said this at the Second graduation ceremony of the Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme, LEAD-P in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to her, investing in human knowledge and skills is an urgent necessity for development.
“This is because people are the main engine for growth and development and without skilled and knowledgeable personnel, it’s not possible to achieve growth, development and advancement that nations aspire to.”
The Head of Service noted with emphasis that the LEAD-P was borne out of the gaps identified in the Civil Service.
She disclosed that, before now, there was an absence of structured and targeted training programme for civil servants and that trainings across MDAs were carried out without considering the actual competencies that were lacking in service.
She said the implementation of the LEAD-P is one of the direct responses to the gaps identified in the Service.
“We needed to develop a core group of Civil Servants that will bear the responsibility of the machinery of government. The choice of focusing on the middle level officers, grade level 10-14, was to lay a very strong foundation for the future of the Civil Service”.
She said one of the cardinal points of the training program is to change the mindset of the officers, increase their self-awareness and pattern of behaviour.
Dr Yemi-Esan noted with optimism that the program will also address the lingering challenge of succession in the Civil Service.
“Leadership is not just about knowing what to do, it’s also about getting people to want to do the right thing. Leaders of the 21st century are not expected to follow where the path may lead, but to go to where there’s no lead and leave a trail behind.”
In the light of the prestige that the programme represents, the Head of Service encouraged eligible officers to take advantage of the programme while calling on the partners for its expansion.
“The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has commenced plans to create a Cadre for the LEAD-P officers to ensure their growth so they don’t get lost in the Civil Service.”
While congratulating the participants, she reminded them of the responsibility they bear in applying the knowledge and skills acquired to effectively and efficiently channeled towards the delivery of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Head of Service restated the commitment of her office to continue to pursue the reformation agenda of the Service.
For his part, he Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume said the Civil Service is the engine that drives policy implementation, ensures efficient service delivery, and ultimately shapes the future of Nigeria.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Maurice Mberi, the SGF said in recognizing this role, it is only fitting that government invest in the development of its brightest minds, preparing them to take on the mantle of leadership in the years to come.
Addressing the106 graduands, Sen. Akume said the journey through the program has been one of intellectual rigor and personal transformation.
“You have been challenged, stretched, and molded into the leaders our nation needs. Remember, the knowledge and skills you have acquired are not merely your own; they are a torch entrusted to you to illuminate the path forward for the civil service, and ultimately, for Nigeria.”
The guest lecturer and pioneer Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Tajudeen Afolabi Adeola admonished the graduands to always stand on the principle of integrity accountability, pursuit of acknowledge and selflessness in the pursuit of excellence.
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