President Bola Tinubu says Nigerian Civil Servants who relocated Abroad and still receive salaries will be punished.
The President said this at the 2024 Civil Service Week Award and Gala night in Abuja, Nigeria.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, President Tinubu said that while it is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address the issue, the government must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.
He said; “culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected and their supervisors and Department Heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch.”
“The Nigerian Civil Service cannot just be a workplace where ‘anything is possible, ‘where workers violate rules without the fear of punishment or repercussion. The civil service of any nation is too important for such misconduct to take root or be tolerated,”the President emphasised.
Describing the Civil Service as the bedrock of government necessary for the delivery of public goods to citizens, the President noted that a nation is as good as its Civil service.
According to him, “over the decades, successive governments had initiated various National Development Plans and programs, and all relied on the Civil Service to translate such plans into high-impact programs and projects across all sectors of the nation’s economy.”
He therefore, restated his commitment to cultivating, empowering, and professionalizing the human capital within the Civil Service by fostering a culture of excellence and instilling confidence among the civil servants. President Tinubu said; “This administration acknowledges the challenges the civil service faces. I want to give you the assurance that we are committed to ensuring the welfare and development of all civil servants to deliver optimal performance for the growth of our nation.”
He commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan in steering the reforms towards creating a world-class service that upholds meritocracy and excellence.
The Nigerian leader urged all civil servants to recognise the key role they must play in the achievement of national potential.
“Today, we celebrate the contributions of our Civil Service to nation- building, honouring officers who embody integrity, efficiency, and dedication. Your exemplary service exemplifies our collective commitment to a better Nigeria.
“The faces I see here today are those of determined people, imbued with ‘can do ‘spirits. I see faces of diverse ethnicities. I see the faces of numerous professionals, all teaming up to make this country a better place.”
The Nigerian President noted with satisfaction the drive by the Civil Service at ensuring that the strategic plan is aligned with the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
