President Bola Tinubu has called on public servants to uphold public trust and be accountable to Nigerians. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu made this appeal during the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to creating an environment where merit is rewarded, and every public servant feels valued and motivated. He urged public servants to remember that they are employees of the Nigerian people and not to treat public institutions as personal enterprises.
He stressed that the awards ceremony is not just about giving out awards but about fostering a culture of recognition and reward within the country’s public service. Despite measures to prevent irregularities, Tinubu acknowledged that some loopholes are still being exploited by those entrusted with public responsibilities.
He said,
“Our public service must live up to its expectation as a public trust where every official must account to the people. We aim to create an ecosystem where they stand out and apart from those who sabotage us,”Tinubu highlighted the importance of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, a private sector initiative in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He fully supported the initiative, seeing it as a strategy to inspire the nation’s workforce, set benchmarks, and create positive change in society.
He noted that rewarding and recognizing public servants are crucial for a thriving institution and nation. The essence of any successful entity lies in its ability to honor those who uphold its values and drive its progress.
Tinubu added,
“Our labor force reflects our principles, practiced by men and women committed to building a better future for all citizens. We owe these silent architects of our national progress more than just a debt of gratitude,”
He also highlighted the role of NEAPS in introducing role models to the nation, recognizing the excellence of awardees, and promoting a culture of hard work and commitment in public service. The 44 honorees have set in motion actions to build a culture of high performance, integrity, and accountability.
Tinubu concluded
“We must ensure that the values that set them apart are ingrained in our culture. There’s no better way to nurture this than by collectively recognizing the efforts of those who work tirelessly to hold our nation together,”
