AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Federal Government has stressed the need for public servants to imbibe time-honoured virtues and adoptive skills for effective implementation of policies and programmes of government in consonance with modern work ethics.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, gave the advice on Friday at the retirement programme of the Ministry’s Director of Procurement, Mr Olusegun Oke, in Abuja.
Abubakar stated that public servants were key to national development and must, therefore, enthrone the culture of innovation in imagination and routine work. As well, she urged them to develop appropriate tools for anticipated change that goes with the emerging trends.
He stated that the achievements of public servants are evaluated by efficiency, transparency, productivity and ability to impact the people through services with which government policies, projects and programmes are driven.
According to him, these attributes are visible in Oke while in service. “Those who have the privilege to work closely with Mr. Oke will testify to his commitment and transparency, and above all, his citizen-centredness, he said.
Abubakar lauded him for having served the country successfully and for attaining age 60 in good health. He advised him to see retirement from service as another step in life and urged him to make best use of his post-service years.
A retired federal Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, also advised civil servants in the country to be proactive and focused in order not to be left out in the scheme of affairs. Saying that the civil service is the hope of a better country, she harped on the need for them to be selfless and dedicated to duty.
Odusote described the retiring Director as one of the best government officials in recent times, disclosing, “I was a Permanent Secretary for 10 years and I served in eight Ministries; I will boldly tell you that the best Special Assistant I had was Mr. Olusegun Oke.”
Oke, flanked by his wife, Bosede, thanked God for granting him good health, long life and opportunity to serve with the privilege of retirement.
Oke said, “I am deeply humbled and honoured with the calibre of people present here to celebrate with me on my 60th birthday, marking the end of my years in public service. I remain grateful to you all.
“My years of service, no doubt, left an indelible mark in my life, especially in the area of touching lives of people. My desire is to spend the rest of my life to the service of God and humanity.”
