President Muhammadu Buhari says public service is a position of trust and all employees must be accountable to the people they serve.
He therefore advised all public servants to always display the attributes of patriotism, loyalty and efficiency.
The President made the declaration in Abuja on Friday, at the maiden edition of Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS), held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addressing the awardees and their guests, President Buhari buttressed the need to be patriotic and efficient in serving humanity and the nation.
The President identified corruption, nepotism and political patronage as some of the vices distracting public officials.
He urged public servants and people in leadership positions to ensure they shun such vices and embrace decent virtues so as to be counted among those who distinguished themselves in service.
He said: “Public service is a public trust where officers and even employees must be accountable to the people whom they should serve at all times with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. They are expected to act with patriotism and think out of the box in order to solve the many problems facing the people which they lead.
“The present issues of corruption continue to affect the civil service in many countries around the world. Several reasons for these issues still exist because of the rooted problems like nepotism, political patronage as well as lack of transparency and accountability. These vices distract them from delivering their mandates and aspirations.
“The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms of holding civil servants and public officials accountable for their actions will always lead to negative impressions to the citizens. I wish that leaders will rise to be counted among leaders who have distinguished themselves to do the right thing and leave their footprints on the sands of time.”
Earlier, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said NEAPS is an award that recognizes hard work and purposeful leadership that has contributed to national development.
“The Nigerian Excellence Award in Public Service is an award that recognizes and rewards innovation, purposeful leadership and other exceptional deserving individuals that have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the public service and the country at large,” he said.
The National Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) put together by The Best Strategic Media (TBS) in conjunction with the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, is meant to recognize distinguished public service by individuals and organizations and Friday’s event was the maiden edition of the awards.
44 individuals and organizations attended the historical event, among whom were former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, 16 State Governors and Service Chiefs, among others.
