President Tinubu Calls for Accountability in Public Service, Honors 44 Exemplary Figures
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian public servants to uphold their roles as public trustees, emphasizing the necessity for accountability and integrity. Speaking at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reinforced his administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of recognition and reward within the public service.
During the event, President Tinubu underscored the importance of public servants remembering that they are employees of the Nigerian people and not proprietors of the nation’s institutions. He highlighted the need for an ecosystem where merit is acknowledged, and every public servant feels motivated to deliver their best.
“More than ever, our public service must live up to its expectation as a public trust where every official must account to the people,” said Vice President Shettima, delivering President Tinubu’s speech titled “Honouring the Heartbeats of Public Service.” He noted that despite measures to prevent irregularities, some loopholes remain, which are exploited by those entrusted with public responsibilities.
The NEAPS event recognized 44 individuals for their outstanding contributions to public service. Among the awardees were General Abdulsalami Abubakar for Peace Building, Senate President Godswill Akpabio for Parliamentary Excellence, and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso for Monetary Policy Reforms. Business magnate Aliko Dangote was honored with the Industrial Revolution award, while several state governors were recognized for their sector-specific interventions.
The awards, a private sector initiative in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), aim to inspire the nation’s workforce by setting benchmarks and creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout society. President Tinubu emphasized that recognizing and rewarding excellence is vital for the progress of any institution or nation.
“Reward and recognition are the very markers of every thriving institution, and indeed, nation,” stated President Tinubu. He praised the dedication of public servants, calling them the “silent architects of our national progress” and stressing the need to continually honor their efforts to foster a culture of hard work and integrity.
The SGF, George Akume, in his welcome address, highlighted that the NEAPS initiative is driven by empirical and verifiable criteria, ensuring that the awards are based on genuine achievements. He assured that the initiative would be maintained as a regular feature to motivate excellence in public service.
The event concluded with calls for the award recipients to continue their efforts in making Nigeria a more prosperous and progressive nation, reinforcing the significance of public service as a cornerstone of national development.
