By Nasir Kura
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, has stressed the need for retired permanent secretaries to sustain their positive contribution to the development of the nation and not to see their retirement as an impediment.
Oyo-Ita said this in Abuja at a cocktail party in honour of five Permanent Secretaries who retired from January 2018 to June 2018 as part of the welfare policy established this year.
The retired Permanent Secretaries are Mrs Fatima Binta Bamidele, Mr. Abubakar Gusau Magaji, Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Mr Osarenom Uwaifo and Mr Osuji Ndubuisi Marcellinus.
She said the retirees were honoured by the federal government in recognition of their meritorious service to the nation, and urged them to continue to provide service for the development of the country and its citizens.
“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.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha, appealed to the retirees not to relent in their efforts to promote peace and unity in the country.
The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO), Mrs Habiba Muda Lawal, commended the retirees for their service to the fatherland, and charged them not to relent in contributing to national development.
In his remarks on behalf of the retirees, Mr. Abubakar Gusau Magaji, who retired as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, urged civil servants to stick to the five essential tools of service which are institutions, public service rules, financial regulations, Public Procurement Act and circulars.
Magaji, who is also an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for the 2019 elections in Zamfara state, commended the federal government for the honour.
He said as a retired civil servant, he would not have any challenge in his political ambition.
