Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire, has called on officers and staff of the Ministry to embrace innovation, continuous learning, digital transformation, teamwork and excellence in service delivery as critical tools for building a productive, citizen-centred and world-class public service. This was contained in a statement signed by Suleiman Haruna, PhD, Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Dr. Ukaire made the call on Monday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Civil Service Week Celebration, which commenced at the Ministry’s headquarters and will run from June 22 to June 28, 2026.
Welcoming participants to the event, the Permanent Secretary described the Civil Service Week as a significant annual celebration dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of civil servants to national development.
She commended members of staff for their commitment and sacrifices in ensuring effective public administration and national progress. “Today is your day. We are here to celebrate every one of you who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure continuity, stability and progress in public administration,” she said.
Speaking on the theme of the 2026 celebration, “Transforming Public Institutions Through Advancing Innovation, Participation and Inclusion,” Dr. Ukaire noted that the theme aligns with ongoing Federal Government reforms aimed at strengthening public institutions through technology-driven administration, enhanced capacity building, innovation and improved service delivery.
According to her, the Ministry must continue to play its strategic role as the engine room of government communication and national orientation while adapting to the evolving demands of modern governance.
She therefore urged staff to uphold the core values of the public service, including integrity, professionalism, accountability, patriotism and excellence. “Let us embrace innovation, continuous learning, teamwork and excellence in service delivery as we strive to deliver on the mandate entrusted to us by the Nigerian people,” she stated.
The Permanent Secretary further stressed the need for workers to remain committed to personal and professional development, noting that learning, adaptation and innovation are essential requirements for effective public service in the digital age.
She called on staff to recommit themselves to the vision of a responsive and efficient public service capable of supporting national development and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. “Change has come, but you are the ones who will make that change happen. Let us all play our part and put our hands on deck to actualise the vision of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation,” Dr. Ukaire added.
The Permanent Secretary also encouraged all officers and staff to actively participate in the week-long activities lined up for the celebration, including the special Juma’at prayer and interdenominational thanksgiving service.
The opening ceremony featured sensitisation presentations on the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021–2025), delivered by directors and senior officers of the Ministry.
Speaking on Pillar One: Capability Building, the Director, Public Communications, Barr. Henshaw Ogubike, emphasised the importance of continuous learning, talent management, mentoring and career development in building a competent and motivated workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern governance.
Representing the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Dickson Amaka highlighted the significance of the Performance Management System (PMS) in promoting accountability, productivity and alignment of individual performance with institutional objectives.
On Pillar Three: Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the Deputy Director, Human Resources Management, Mr. Peter Davwet underscored the role of the platform in enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency in payroll administration across the Federal Civil Service.
Delivering a presentation on Innovation, the Director, Production, Publicity and Documentary, Mr. Ibidapo Okunnu, encouraged staff to embrace creativity and innovative thinking as essential drivers of efficiency and improved service delivery, noting that innovation remains central to ongoing civil service reforms.
Similarly, the Deputy Director, ICT, Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke, who spoke on Digitalisation, stressed the importance of fully utilising government digital platforms, official email systems and emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency, transparency and inter-agency collaboration.
Speaking on Staff Welfare, the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Haruna Suleiman, highlighted various initiatives introduced by the Federal Government to improve the wellbeing of civil servants, including career progression opportunities, housing schemes, loan facilities and improved working conditions.
Also speaking at the event, representatives of staff and labour unions pledged their continued support for reforms aimed at strengthening capacity development, staff welfare and institutional effectiveness, while urging workers to take ownership of the ongoing transformation agenda.
The opening ceremony marked the commencement of a week-long programme designed to celebrate the contributions of civil servants and deepen awareness of reforms aimed at repositioning the Federal Civil Service for greater efficiency, innovation and service delivery to Nigerians.
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