The Federal Government has urged the retired permanent secretaries to sustain their positive contribution to the development of the nation and not to see their retirement as an impediment.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, gave the speech Sunday in Abuja at a Cocktail Party organised to honour five retired Federal Permanent Secretaries.
The event was organised to honour five retired permanent secretaries; Mrs Fatima Binta Bamidele, Mr. Abubakar Gusau Magaji, Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Mr Osarenom Uwaifo and Mr Osuji Ndubuisi Marcellinus.
This is as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha, urged the retirees to keep working for the peace, progress and unity of the nation.
Mrs Oyo-Ita said the event was to appreciate the permanent secretaries who retired from January 2018 to June 2018 for their services to Nigeria.
According to her, the event was part of the welfare policy established this year by her office and the body of permanent secretaries to celebrate the retirees for their meritorious service to the nation.
“It is also targeted at promoting social integration, friendship, camaraderie and good working relationship among colleagues who have agreed to come together to jointly handle some of our welfare needs; particularly, the ones not covered by extant rules and to also offer support and succour whenever the need arises.
“It is a welfare policy that seeks to bring bonding to the body of permanent secretaries and to help create an atmosphere of fellowship. It will also enable them to know each other beyond official capacity and discuss how to move the country forward and promote peace,” she said.
The SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, represented by the Permanent Secretary Ecological Fund Office, (EFO), Mrs Habiba Muda Lawal, wished the retirees a resounding and healthy retirement.
The SGF who appealed to the retirees not to relent in their efforts to promote peace and unity in the country, commended them for their service to their fatherland, and charged them not to relent in contributing to national development.
In his remarks, one of the retirees, Mr. Abubakar Gusau Magaji, who retires as a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Interior, said the event was a surprise and thanked the HoCSF for the honour.
Magaji, who is also a Zamafara State APC governorship aspirant for 2019 election, said that as a retired civil servant, he won’t have any challenge in his political ambition.
He urged civil servants to ensure they stick to the five essential tools of service which are institutions, public service rules, financial regulations, public procurement Act and circulars.
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