The Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy celebrated the 2023 Civil Service Week Ministerial Recognition Awards to acknowledge and reward dedicated officers who have consistently demonstrated excellence in their roles.
In a statement signed by the director of press and public relations, Olujimi Oyetomi it was revealed that this annual celebration, initiated in 2020, aims to foster effective work performance, diligence and unwavering commitment to delivering government policies for the transportation and marine sectors.
The 2023 edition of the event, held at the auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Maitama, was spearheaded by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani. During the ceremony, Ajani called upon the Ministry’s staff to exhibit punctuality, dedication, diligence and honesty in their national service. She stressed the importance of serving with integrity and excellence to maintain high standards of service delivery.
She went on to emphasise that the awards should not only bring joy to the recipients but also inspire others who were not honoured this time to view it as a challenge to strive for recognition in the future. She encouraged all staff members to be ready to work diligently and efficiently in their respective roles.
In her welcome address, the director of human resource management, Ms. Tetshoma Dafeta shared that as part of the Federal Civil Service Strategic Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP25), aimed at recognising dedicated civil servants, the ministry established a committee to select the staff who met the necessary requirements for this year’s awards.
Dafeta urged other ministry staff to work diligently, with the hope that they would be the ones receiving the award next year.
During the event, the acting director of media and public relations at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Engr. Emanuel Onokpono delivered a presentation as an invited resource person. He highlighted that while Nigerians are familiar with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a new law signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 19, 2022, mandates that all government staff must enrol in the new NHIA.
He clarified that the NHIA is not limited to civil servants but is intended for all Nigerians, emphasising the law’s legal standing through proper documentation, signing and gazetting.
A fellow of the Institute of Safety Advocate, Dr. Ali Mohammed Ibrahim who was also an invited resource person, encouraged the staff to prioritise safety in their daily lives. He stressed that whether at the workplace, at home, in hospitals, or anywhere else, safety should be the foremost consideration.
