The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, has said the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) recognised and rewarded outstanding staff members of the ministry to do more and encourage others to emulate them.
Speaking at the Civil Service Award Ceremony held in Abuja, he pointed out that the ceremony was based on the directive of the Head of Service of the Federation for all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to mark the 2022 public service celebration before June 23, 2022, adding that the ministry has deemed it fit to recognise deserving officers who distinguished themselves in their duties by contributing to the realisation of the mandate of the ministry.
“We should not expect an award on a platter of gold; rather, our little contribution in the way and manner we carry out our assignments goes a long way in bringing about the desired change and progress,” he said.
He, however, urged everyone to start changing from within, if that expected change outside was to be realised.
Abubakar stated that the 2022 award was in three categories, namely; Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award for Grade level 15 and above, Presidential Merit Award for Grade level 7-14 and Head of Service Commendation Letter award for Grade Level 3-6.
He, therefore, congratulated the permanent secretary, the organisers and the awardees for achieving the great feat.
Earlier, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe reiterated that the historic event was in commemoration of the 2022 Civil Service Award. He noted that the selection was based on merit and attitude to work.
He commended the awardees for their hard work, dedication, competence and exceptional level of commitment in the discharge of their duties.
“It is expected that this would spur other officers to exhibit similar virtue and be more productive”.
“I also commend the efforts of the standing committee in the ministry for working tirelessly to see that this event came to a success,” Umakhihe added.
In her remarks, the director, human resources management, Mrs. Toyin Alade hailed the awardees for their exemplary disposition.
“You have set a standard for others to emulate, believing that you will not only sustain but surpass the present height you have attained,” she said.
In her response, on behalf of the awardees, the zonal director, southwest zonal office, Ibadan, Mrs. Folashade Oguntuyi, stated that the civil service is all about having role models/ mentors, who pave the way for success.
She thanked the ministers, permanent secretary and the organisers for the laudable event.
A statement by the ministry’s director of information signed by Mrs. Eremah Anthonia said the awardees were the director, animal husbandry services department, Mrs. Winifred Lai. Solarin (commitment and dedication to duty); Deputy director, cooperative department, Mrs. Oguntuyi Folashade (punctuality, commitment and exemplary conduct); Senior cameraman, information department, Mr. Ferdinand Nwachukwu (productivity and dedication to duty), amongst others.
