By Edwin Philip
The immediate past Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said the public service leadership initiative of Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has contributed in building human capacity in Nigeria and across the continent of Africa.
Osimbanjo made the call at the graduating ceremony of 68 class of the 4th cohorts of the Aig Imoukhuede public leaders program 2024.
The former Vice President, called for synergy between the private sector and civil service in other to strengthen service delivery.
“An effective public service today must also see the private sector as crucial partner, the public service exist to facilitate enterprise and to support the private sector, and this fact is foundemental to a dynamic and productive relationship between the public and private sector in our nation.”
He however, commended the public service for their pivotal rules in ensuring that the infrastructural and human development of the country from pre to post independent as well as recently have been supervised and supported by civil servants, such as the National Development Plan of the 1960 all the way to the 1980s, the construction of the last three nation’s refineries within ten years, from 1978 to 1985.
“Nearly five thousand kilometers of pipelines, sometimes you find out when you repeat this things , it appears that it was not the same set of individuals, civil servants who supervised all of this” he expressed.
He however, added that the failure of the public service has a way of affecting every sector of national life: “consider the day to day challenges that entrepreneurs face, when trying to register companies, secure certification or pay for necessary approvals, anytime there is a delay or anytime a public officers tell them to come back next week, instead of resolving the issues today and not postponing one persons success and prosperity, you are postponing apportunites for many others, who’s livelihood depends on that business succeeding’.
Professor Osinbajo advocated for an agile, equipped, innovative, stable and effective public service to be able to compete in today’s volatile, complex, uncertain global environment, saying that any effective policy making must relate with evolving reality, as innovation should not at any time be optional but a core function of governance, adding that regulatory frame work must continuously respond to new developments, in order to unlock the opportunities while protecting the public interest.
Commending on the spirit of enterprise and innovation which inspired in 2016 by Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation lectures where young entrepreneurs in Nigeria sought to build digital payment platform, where outdated regulations recognized only traditional banking institutions, adding that the foundation leadership program is vital, because it inspires participants to imagine possibilities, to test those ideas and design practical solutions, and it steering the understanding that real change begins with imagination, followed by disciplined execution, of the idea.
“I have been inspired reading some of the remarkable 68th projects emerging from this program, from project on leveraging global technology, to expand mental health services, another development AI management tool, another one creating employees feedback platforms, yet another digitizing government process, one even designing framework for work place sexual harassment for a particular ministry who’s name I will not mention” he revealed.
While congratulating the class of of 2024 of the foundation, he urge them to see themselves as investors of devices or machines, public service scientists, investors of bold new system, and process that transformed how vital public goods and services can reached millions of people.
“Technology scientists create the product that powers our daily lives, public service scientists create the system that protects them, ensuring that health, safety, and opportunity reached every corner of the society, not as a privilege but as a policy, in any event am convinced that the way you have been challenging this past six months to solve real life problems, leadership creativity and innovation.
“Your approach to public service will never be the same, and this is the essence of transformative leadership, seeing problems not as obstacle but as an opportunity to build a future that we all desire” he Concluded.
On his part, the Head of Civil Service of Nigeria , Mrs Didi Watson -Jack, while commending the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation for it unwavering commitment in governance in Nigeria and across Africa, through It leadership program, which have provided the public sector leaders with world class leadership training, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and mindset required to drive innovation and excellence in public administration.
” I dare say that this aligns perfectly with our vision of building citizens centric, efficient productive and incorporate able as we as innovative work force, your work is invaluable and I encouraging you to continue to even do more” she said.
According to her, some of the alumni of the program are already working with her in her office, contributing actively to various reforms initiatives of the federal civil service strategy and implementation plan, she mentioned, Dr. Deborah Odo, the permanent secretary service policy and strategy office, as one of them, saying that those dedication and expertise has been instrumental in advancing key public sector reforms, as it is the testament to Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation public leadership profound impact in shaping the Nigerian public service.
Speaking earlier, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Mr Aigboje Aig – Imoukhuede, said the members of the 2024 class draws public service personnels from other countries, the foundation now covering eight countries and counting.
He urged graduands to try new grounds , renew their minds, so they can catch up with the rest of the world:” we will not catch up unless and until each of us, says I have the powers within me to do something, that will make a big impact on Nigeria’s future, and that is what this program is all about” he said.
He encouraged the participants to emulate the leadership qualities of the keynotes speaker, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who has made impact in public service just the same way the foundation expect them, adding the former vice president, as excelled as a teacher, legal practitioner, public servants before going into electoral office” he added.