Politics
GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo has urged civil servants in the country to be patriotic and be agents of change, peace and unity.
The governor made the call on Thursday in Owerri, at the opening of the 40th National Council on Establishment (NCE).
“We have no other country that we can call our own on the face of this earth than Nigeria. Therefore, it is our duty to protect the nation irrespective of our tribe or religion.
“We must make the necessary sacrifice not just for this generation but that yet unborn.
“We must promote peace and unity in the face of the crisis bedevilling the nation presently as division by tribe, sentiment or religion has not helped us as a country,” he said.
According to the governor, the challenges facing the country “is not peculiar but also happening in other countries but the approach to solving our problems is what makes it linger’’.
He added that Nigerians should come up with innovative ideas that would move the country forward.
“Doing things the old way gives you same results, Nigerians must begin to think out of the box, especially in the face of this economic hardship.
“There is need to repackage the Federal Republic of Nigeria for increased development,” Okorocha said.
He urged the council to deliberate on issues regarding the repackaging of Nigeria as well as life after retirement for civil servants.
The governor said Imo had adopted a method of volunteerism to engage retired civil servants and make them productive.
The governor also advised civil servants not to depend solely on salary but engage in agriculture to help sustain their families.
Earlier, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, said civil service is the foremost institution aside the military that has sustained the unity of the country.
Oyo-Ita said her office had charted a new course for the service to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-focussed (EPIC).
She added that the strategy was in line with the priorities of the Economic Recovery Growth Plan to drastically cut cost through reduction in the cost of governance.
She disclosed that engagement of stakeholders was on-going for a bridging programme that will enable HND holders to acquire B. Tech degrees for conversion to officer cadre in the service.
The head of service called on the council to be motivated by drive for innovation and change in the civil service.
She said civil servants must be desirous of improving on systems, procedures, regulations and operational guidelines of the service. (NAN)
– Mar. 15, 2018 @ 18:59 GMT |
Tags: Okorocha task civil servants on patriotism
