FG Tasks Directors To Build Next Generation Of Civil Servants

The federal government has tasked senior civil servants on Grades 15 to 17 with the responsibility of developing the next generation of public servants and strengthening the institutions they lead.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, gave the charge in Abuja during an interactive session with Directorate-level officers of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), where he emphasised mentorship, accountability, innovation and professionalism as essential to effective public administration.

Abel said the Directorate cadre occupied a strategic position in the Civil Service, serving as the bridge between policy direction and implementation.

He therefore urged the officers to see their positions beyond administrative responsibilities by deliberately mentoring younger officers, providing professional guidance and creating an environment where competence and innovation could thrive.

The head of Service stressed that the effectiveness of government policies depended largely on the quality of their implementation, urging the directors to take ownership of their responsibilities and ensure that public duties were discharged with professionalism and a strong sense of purpose.

He also challenged the officers to embrace continuous learning and self-development, saying changing administrative demands required public servants to remain open to new ideas and innovative ways of solving problems.

According to him, sustainable institutional development goes beyond putting policies in place, as strong institutions require leaders who can build people, promote teamwork and enforce accountability.

The interactive session also provided an opportunity for Management staff to identify operational challenges confronting the Office and propose practical measures to improve efficiency and service delivery in line with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Earlier, the permanent secretary, Common Services Office, OHCSF, Dr Danjuma Usman Kalba, said the direct engagement between the HCSF and Directorate-level officers demonstrated the importance attached to inclusive leadership and open communication.

Kalba said the session enabled the officers to better understand the vision and expectations of the Head of Service while providing an avenue for them to present their concerns and suggestions on improving the operations of the Office.

Similarly, the director of Human Resources Management and Administration, Mrs Jennifer Sharang, commended the HCSF for the engagement and pledged the commitment of the Directorate cadre to initiatives aimed at building a more responsive and productive Civil Service.

The meeting marked the conclusion of the HCSF’s three-phase interaction with staff of the OHCSF, following earlier engagements with Junior and Mid-Level Officers.

The sessions provided staff across the various cadres with direct access to the Head of Service to discuss workplace challenges, exchange ideas and contribute to efforts aimed at improving the performance of the Office.