Yayale Hails Retired Permanent Secretaries For Continued Service To the Nation

The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, has commended retired Federal Permanent Secretaries for their invaluable contributions to national development, noting that their wealth of experience and expertise remains vital to strengthening public service institutions, even in retirement.

Yayale Ahmed made the call in Abuja on Thursday at the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) Annual Dinner and Awards to round up the CORFEPS Week 2026.

“This is to show that our commitment and determination to continue to provide service to the nation is not an ordinary thing. The nation has done a lot for us, and we know we cherish and appreciate what we have gone through in our lives. We will continue to be patriotic and serve this nation.

“I would like to assure everyone of us that your continued patriotic service will not be in vain,” he said.

Yayale Ahmed, who is the National Chairman of CORFEPS, expressed delight that a group of dedicated Nigerians had worked tirelessly to build the public service into a respected institution that serves as the engine room of government and a key driver of national unity.

“They will never forget that at one time a group of dedicated Nigerians worked so hard to make the public service stand as a very proud institution to keep the nation together,” he said.

In his remarks, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, who the Permanent Secretary, Common Service, Dr Danjuma Usman Kalba, represented,
said the Renewed Hope Agenda President Tinubu provides an important framework for economic transformation, institutional renewal and national prosperity, which can only be realised through an innovative, efficient, accountable, digitally enabled and forward-thinking public service.

“These ambitions cannot be realised without a public service that is innovative, efficient, accountable, digitally enabled and focused on results. The quality of our institutions will significantly influence our capacity to attract investment, stimulate growth and improve the living conditions of Nigerians. This underscores the urgency of Civil Service reform as codified in the FCSSIP 2026-2030.

“Our goal must be to build a Civil Service that is efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred. This is a noble goal that can best be accomplished by blending past experiences with modern strategies to propel the service forward in the overall interest of our great country,” he said.

He commended CORFEPS for providing a platform for professional fellowship, shared reflection and diverse perspectives.

Distinguished personalities honoured on the occasion are: Owelle Gilbert Obiajulu Chikelu; Ambassador Ignatius Olisemeka; Chief John Edozien; Chief John Odigie Oyegun; Ambassador Judith Attah; Engineer Ebele Okeke; and Mrs Amal Pepple.

Others are: Mr Stephen Oronsaye, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, and Alhaji Bello Sali.