By Sodiq Yusuf
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on management and staff of the ministry to remain focused and also develop personal value for excellence and efficient service delivery, particularly in the realisation of the ministry’s mandate.
Aregbesola made the call on Monday, when he flagged off the 2020 Staff Training Exercise in Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah, Aregbesola said the incumbent administration is committed to lifting the civil service to a world-class status, through imbuement of modern work practices and processes.
According to Aregbesola, the modern work practices and processes include skills acquisition by civil servants in ICT-Digital Model, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era, where public operation may likely move from the normal hard copy to computer-based.
According to him, the civil service is a place for self-development and therefore, workers must learn to set high targets for themselves through development of self-excellence, which is a compulsory hallmark that will stand them out for success in their career.
Aregbesola said Nigerian civil servants must see themselves as agents for the promotion of growth, peace and stability, noting that the training exercise was designed to prepare staff ahead of the post COVID-19 challenges, as the pandemic had gradually altered the operations of government.
He therefore, called on the workers to take advantage of the training to develop themselves in line with the changing trends for effective performance, to enable the realization of government’s programmes, policies and projects for the betterment of the citizens.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Joint Union Leadership, Mr. Bassey Ukpenetus, pledged staff continual commitment to duty in order to achieve the Ministry’s mandate.
He commended the Buhri-led administration’s efforts in entrenching transparency in the conduct of government business, improvement and development of staff through capacity building as well as the provision of a conducive working environment.
Bassey assured the government that the union will continue to ensure maintenance of industrial harmony between it and the management of the ministry in order to provide efficient services to Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Meqstar Global, Mrs. Mercy Agboola, commended the ministry for organizing capacity building for staff and assured that with the calibre of the facilitators engaged for the training workshop, the staff will after the programme, be better equipped for effective performance and service delivery, especially with contemporary realities.
