ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan has urged civil servants to ensure that public service reforms are upheld to prepare a better future for the younger ones.
He said this on Thursday in Abuja during the book launch and public presentation of two books in honour of Alhaji Bukar Aji, the outgoing Head of Service of the Federation.
The book “Bukar Goni Aji: A Quintessential Civil Servant’’ and “The Challenges of Transforming the Civil Service’’, were written by Abdullahi Bulama, and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).
The books chronicled the reforms of the outgoing head of service.
Represented by Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Jonathan said that the public service was assuming a new momentum.
“The reforms that have taken place in the last few years, whether you like the administration or not you cannot deny it.
“I commit all of us to the fact that the future belongs to all of us and we must continue to sustain the reforms that have been initiated by this administration.
“I encourage you to take these reforms to your table at every level to make sure that we prepare and bequeath a very prosperous future for our own children that are coming up,’’ he said
Jonathan congratulated Aji for his meritorious service to the nation, saying he was indeed proud of his achievements.
The president also congratulated him for producing a worthy successor in the person of Mr Danladi Kifasi.
Jonathan, who said that Kifasi choice was based on hard work and seniority, described the pattern as just and fair.
The Chairman of the book launch, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, said this was the first time an outgoing head of service would be honoured in such a manner. [eap_ad_1] Represented by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, a former Head of Service, Babangida reminded all civil servants to be at their best at all times to restore the dignity of the service.
“I want to remind all civil servants that these times are not normal times and it is your responsibility to think ahead and use your brain,’’ Babangida said.
Babangida urged them to develop ways of restoring the confidence of the service, the integrity of the nation and peace that this nation was known for.
“You should always think ahead, develop solutions and assist the political leadership.
“If you remain aloof and always think that the political elite will have to ginger you to do your thing, then you are missing the point.’’
Aji commended the president for believing in him and giving him the opportunity to prove himself.
He said that some of the policies that were introduced during his tenure might have been unpopular and unfavourable to some people, but they were essential to national development.
The outgoing head of service wished Kifasi a successful tenure and prayed that God should see him through.
He, however, appealed to the striking members of Nigeria Medical Association to return to work because of the outbreak of Ebola virus. “The situation we are today is a situation that the Nigerian society recognises who is truly a Nigerian.
“Even in this time, the NMA is still sustaining the strike and so we are getting the answers clearly now that we now know who are actually Nigerians and the people who are ready to stand for the nation at a time like this.
“I will like to passionately appeal to them to return to work before it is too late because from what I’ve been hearing the Nigerian society may react negatively to the situation because they cannot be held to ransom.
“If the issue is that of salary increase and higher entry level, what happens to other civil servants who have to wait for a number of years before they get to that level,’’ he asked.
Aji said that proceeds from the book launch would be used to fund the Goni Aji Foundation.
He said that the foundation was dedicated to providing water and some other basic amenities as well as succor to victims of terrorism in Yobe. (NAN)
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