Corruption, political patronage distracting public officials – Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has identified corruption, nepotism and political patronage as some of the vices distracting public officials.

Buhari stated this on Friday at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged public servants and people in leadership positions to ensure they shun such vices and embrace decent virtues so as to be counted among those who distinguished themselves in service.

The President also advised all public servants to always display the attributes of patriotism, loyalty and efficiency.

He said, “Public service is a public trust where officers and even employees must be accountable to the people whom they should serve at all times with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. They are expected to act with patriotism and think out of the box in order to solve the many problems facing the people which they lead.

“The present issues of corruption continue to affect the civil service in many countries around the world. Several reasons for these issues still exist because of the rooted problems like nepotism, political patronage as well as lack of transparency and accountability. These vices distract them from delivering their mandates and aspirations.

“The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms of holding civil servants and public officials accountable for their actions will always lead to negative impressions to the citizens. I wish that leaders will rise to be counted among leaders who have distinguished themselves to do the right thing and leave their footprints on the sands of time. ”

In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who received an award for Peace Building, thanked the President on behalf of the awardees and assured him that the awards would serve as an impetus for more service to the nation and humanity.

Jonathan, however, called for Local Government reforms, noting that their efforts needed to be recognised as well.

He explained, “Let me, first, on behalf of the 44 people that were given awards this morning express our appreciation to those who made this possible. And let us specially thank our President for coming in person to give these awards. You make this award look like the national honours that Mr. President himself has to give to people who merit it. So, we have to thank you for this gesture.

“Let me use this unique opportunity to make a little observation. We have 36 states and out of 36 states, from the list, 16 governors were recognised this morning. And I ask myself, out of the 774 local government chairmen, not even one is here with us. Mr Senate President and Mr. Speaker, that shows that the National Assembly has some work to do. Probably, we need to review and look at the structure and functions of the local governments. If the local governments are functional and doing well, we expect one or two of them to be noticed by those who go around the country to assess people that should be recognised. I believe we need to do something about the local government structure in Nigeria. Because, if the local governments are working, some of the challenges we are having, even security challenges at that level of government that is very close to the people, they would have been able to nip it at that stage.”

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was awarded for Parliamentary Excellence, said, “The Nigerian Excellence Award in Public Service is an award that recognises and rewards innovation, purposeful leadership and other exceptional deserving individuals that have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the public service and the country at large.”

Forty-four individuals and organisations attended the event, among whom were former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, 16 state governors and Service Chiefs, among others.

Nyesom Wike was awarded for Infrastructure Delivery (State); Babatunde Fashola for Infrastructure Delivery (Federal); Isah Pantami for Digital Innovation; Godwin Emefiele for Financial Innovation amongst others.

(Punch)