Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The commissioning of the remodelled foyer of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, and a reception with an exhibition gallery was the first of the activities lined up for the 2025 Civil Service Week.
The theme of this year’s celebration is: “Leveraging Technology for a Smart and Agile Public Service”.
The annual event was instituted to honour the dedication and contributions of civil servants to national development and provides a platform to explore innovative strategies for enhancing public service delivery.
During the commissioning ceremony on Friday, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, noted that remodelling reflects dignity, order, and professionalism that must define the Nigerian civil service.
She said the entrance, which is the first port of call at the office, sets the tone for not just visitors alone but also for the service culture her administration seeks to foster.
Her words: “We are reimagining the Civil Service as a dynamic engine of governance, one that is efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-centred.
“The transformation we seek must begin here within our walls, in our processes, in our attitudes, and yes, even in our workspaces,” she highlighted.
She stressed the significance of embracing technology in modernizing the public service, adding that the infrastructure is more than mere physical convenience but a zeal to meet up with international best standards.
She lauded the Infrastructure Management Department for their strategic efforts in upgrading the Federal Secretariat Complexes, highlighting how well-designed environments can inspire productivity, discipline, and national pride.
Architect Joy Osarete Badere, Director of IMD and Overseeing Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office who spoke at the sideline of the event, explained that the toilets within the facility had to be remodeled to ensure they were accessible and easy to use for persons with disabilities.
She noted that the design considered accessibility at every level of the structure. She said: “If you noticed as you went around, there was always a ramp,” adding that ramps were included wherever there was a change in level to aid mobility.
According to Walson-Jack, both the male and female toilets were redesigned to accommodate persons with disabilities. “Even the toilet seats, the holders, and all the fittings were customized to suit their needs,” she said.
She urged other Permanent Secretaries, as well as heads of parastatals and government agencies, to incorporate inclusive design into their construction projects. “Whatever is being built should have persons with disabilities in mind from the outset,” she emphasized.
On the timeline of the project, she noted that the remodelling process began either late last year or early this year. When asked if the project had been completed, she clarified that it remained a work in progress.
She explained that the nature of the facility, being a gallery, required continuous improvements. “You keep changing things, adding new features, making it better,” she said, assuring that the development of the space would continue.
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