Nigeria (EPICSTORIAN) – Professor Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), along with his fellow Commissioners, paid a courtesy visit to Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, at the Governor’s office on Monday.
The visit was part of the lead-up to the 43rd Annual National Council of Civil Service Commissions meeting, scheduled to take place in the state from November 24th to 28th, 2024.
The delegation was welcomed by Katsina’s Deputy Governor, Mallam Faruk Lawal HCIB, who represented the Governor at the event. During the visit, Chairman Olaopa expressed his gratitude to the state government for its continued support and outlined the Commission’s readiness to partner with the state to enhance the image of the Federal Civil Service amid the ongoing changes in public administration.
He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to rejuvenating the civil service, stating, “We are ready to partner with the state government to bring back the glory of the civil service.”
In his remarks, Professor Olaopa noted that the primary purpose of the visit was to appreciate the Governor and seize the opportunity to reinforce the Federal Civil Service’s importance in national development.
He said, “This visit, as well as the hosting of the Council meeting, will make things work and further help to deepen development in the public service.”
Responding to Olaopa, Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal extended his appreciation for the visit. He highlighted that the collaboration between the FCSC and the state would bring a significant opportunity to engage in innovative discussions on advancing public service.
Lawal also shared the state government’s strategic policy focus on civil service reform, stating, “The strategic policy drive of our government is to reform the civil service, ensuring the welfare of our workers is adequately taken care of.” He reassured the Commission that the state follows a merit-based approach in recruitment and promotion, ensuring fairness while adhering to the Federal Character principle.
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Lawal further assured the delegation that the state government is fully up to date on pension and gratuity payments, affirming, “No worker is being owed pension and gratuity; payments are made promptly after verification.”
The Deputy Governor concluded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to cooperating with and supporting the Commission’s reform and re-engineering initiatives, ensuring continued improvements within the public service.
