The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR has called on Civil Services in the States to embrace the already developed Strategy and Implementation Plans of the Federal Government, which are already in use by the Federal Civil Service, to ensure uniformity and quality service to the entire nation for an enhanced wholistic growth and development.
She made the call at the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Session (Ministerial) of the 44th Meeting of the National Council on Establishments (NCE) in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday, 8th December, 2022.
In a Keynote Address, the HoCSF, as well as the Chairman of the Ministerial Session of the NCE, highlighted some of the activities of the Office leveraging on the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP25), which was duly approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Dr. Yemi-Esan, CFR also intimated the Delegates on institutionalisation of Performance Management System (PMS) at the Federal level, which was backed by Executive Order 001 to improve on quality service delivery to the citizenry.
She disclosed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Federal Ministry of Health will start assessment of staff’s performances with PMS instead of the old APER that is being phased out.
According to her, this will guarantee transparency, accountability and, most especially meritocracy.
To this end, she commended the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the Head of Service of the State, Dr. Edgar Sunday for toeing towards ensuring that merit is enthroned for better governance. As the nation is about undergo a political transition, she urged Civil Servants to up their games toward enshrining trust and accountability in the discharge of their duties, without losing sight of their vital role of providing good leadership.
On Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Dr. Yemi-Esan, CFR disclosed also that the OHCSF has presently gone digital, partially, and is expected to go live by the first quarter of next year. At the moment, the Office is awaiting the final stage of ISO 9001 2015 audit, prior to the certification of its operations and services, in accordance with international Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPs).
On Staff Welfare, the HoCSF alluded that lots of progress have been recorded, especially on Recognition and Award policy, which was instituted to motivate hard working Civil Servants, as well as spur others through its Public-Private Partnerships.
According to her, this was evidential at the 2022 Civil Service Day celebration, where the forty (40) recipients of the Presidential Public Service Merit Award received cash donations of N500,000 each from the Aig- Imuokhuede Foundation. Another group of private partners presented a star prize, a brand new mini-SUV, which was won, through the ballots, by a grade level 13 Officer with the Ministry of Police Affairs.
Innovation, HR Module of the Integrated Personal Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Culture Change initiatives, amongst others, were not left out in her speech as she, again, beckons on State Governments to leverage on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) to fast track development, as well as keep pace with global trends.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Chief Crowther Seth, 3edelegates were assured of maximum security throughout their stay.
He acknowledged that the government cannot deliver on its mandates without an efficient and effective Civil Service, hence, he does not compromise on their welfare.
He highlighted some reforms the State has embarked on such as the implantation of minimum wage of N32,000 and its consequential adjustment, appointment of Permanent Secretaries through a merit-based process, thereby institutionalising a paradigm shift from the era of mediocrity to meritocracy; reservation of 600 units for Civil Servants out of every 1000 built; payment of backlog of gratuities etc.
The Ministerial Session of the 44th NCE was declared open by the Executive Governor, as he anxiously awaits the far reaching resolutions and outcomes of the Meeting for immediate implementation by his Administration, considering the importance attached to it.
M .A. Ahmed is Deputy Director, Communications, OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION
8th December, 2022
