Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reiterated the State’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Civil Service Commission in it’s National Strategic Plan aimed at revolutionising career management and modernising public service processes.
Governor Otti stated this on Friday when he received the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, and his delegation of Commissioners in charge of the 36 states of the Federation who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA.
The visit forms part of activities marking the 44th National Council of Civil Service Commissions holding in Umuahia.
The Governor announced that the State’s ongoing Public Service reforms built on competence, fairness and transparency, has effectively abolished quota-based recruitment but instead hires strictly on merit and competence.
Governor Otti restated his administration’s commitment to building a modern, professional and merit-driven Civil Service .
The Governor further addressed pension reforms, noting that arrears dating back to 2001, amounting to “about ₦60.1 billion” had been discovered and were being addressed.
“It looks difficult, but it’s very easy if you just want to do the right thing” he said.
In his remarks, Federal Civil Service Commission Chairman, Professor Tunji Olaupa, commended Governor Otti for what he described as exemplary, results-driven leadership that speaks for itself.
“You can talk political party but when you hear of a performing Governor that do not have to make noise for the work and his achievement to be evident, you are only going to be very proud to be associated with such a Governor”, he said.
Professor Olaupa announced that Abia has been selected as the first pilot partner in the National Strategic Plan aimed at revolutionising career management, redesign and modernising public service processes.
“One of the key elements of the strategy is that we are enlisting some partners in the States’ Commissions and I am very proud to say that Abia State happens to be the first on the list of pilots.
“We’ll jointly approach development partners to create models of excellence. We’ll be hoping that States around the Southwest will come and benchmark what we have seen in Abia State”, he said.
Prof Olaopa commended the professionalism of Abia Civil Servants and the leadership of the State Civil Service Commission, noting that reforms unfolding in the State were consistent with global best practice.
Earlier in her brief, Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Dr Eno Jerry Eze, said Abia’s selection as host for the Council meeting was a National recognition of the reforms championed by the Governor Otti led administration.
“The choice of Abia State as host is a clear recognition of the transformational reforms and institutional renewal Your Excellency has championed since assuming office”, she said.
Pastor Eno Jerry Eze confirmed that delegates from across the country and the FCT had arrived Abia State adding that “registration of Participants is running smoothly while technical sessions have begun”.
She noted that the State’s ongoing reforms align with the National theme of the Council meeting:
“Repositioning Civil Service Commissions in Nigeria as Hubs of Professionalism in Public Service Human Resource Management”, which she said equally reflects the Governor’s foresight.
Pastor Eze pledged that the State Civil Service Commission would continue strengthening professionalism, institutional discipline and service delivery in line with the “New Abia” agenda.
She added that the Council has given Abia “a national platform to showcase the work we are doing to reposition the Abia State Civil Service.”
