Information Minister Sen. Patricia Akwashiki has expressed concern about the low funding of the Federal Ministry of Information and its parastatals, saying the development has significantly hampered the effective utilization of the ministry as a bridge between the government and the people. She made the remarks in Abuja at the maiden Staff Merit Award organized by the ministry.
Sen. Akwashiki said adequate funding was essential to attain the goal of enlightening the public on the objectives of government with feedback mechanism, which was cardinal in a liberal democracy.
The Minister said the Information Sector, which the Federal Ministry of Information represented played critical role in public information management that could be measured in its ability to promote good governance, peaceful co-existence, harmony, growth and development.
“It is essential that the funding gap in the Federal Ministry of Information is addressed and improved upon so that it can boost the publicity of government activities and dictate the pace of public discourse towards better appreciation of the philosophy and programmes of government,” she said.
The Minister was however delighted that some staff were able to surmount the challenges to achieve diligence, dedication to duty, selfless service and creativity in the course of their official assignment. “This award should give them some satisfaction and add to their sense of personal accomplishment, professional success and pride for a job well done”, Sen. Akwashiki remarked.
Sen. Akwashiki underscored the responsibility of the media in nurturing and consolidating democracy in the country and urged journalists to always ensure that their reports were factual, objective, fair and balanced in keeping with the tenets of the hallowed profession.
She equally stressed the need for the media to project the corporate image of Nigeria positively to the global audience in view of its leading role in politics, economics and security in Africa.
In his keynote address, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi said a new Performance Management System would be institutionalized in the Civil Service to measure the output of workers with a view to recognizing excellence in service delivery and sanctioning non-performance.
He said the new template, which was evidence-based, would replace the Annual Performance Evaluation Report in tracking the performance of civil servants.
“The drive for excellence, efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery can only be sustained by giving due recognition to those fine officers who are ever willing and ready to give their best so that Nigerian citizens can enjoy quality service,” he stated.
The Head of Service disclosed that henceforth the re-appointment of Chief Executive Officers and top level management staff could only be possible through the outstanding performance of individual officers and their organizations.
Mr. Kifasi advised that in the face of dwindling resources as evidenced in the meager overhead cost of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, civil servant should be prudent in managing resources to provide quality service, check excesses and waste and block leakages.
He reminded the civil servants that government was a continuum hence the need for them to extend similar support enjoyed by this administration to the incoming administration.
In her address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan said the Merit Award was institutionalized to reward staff for outstanding performance in line with Public Service Rules and Regulations and spur them to put in their best and serve as role models for their colleagues.
She said nominations were received from all the departments in the ministry and subjected to a rigorous process under the supervision of the National Productivity Centre.
Dr. Folasade said the awardees displayed exemplary conduct of integrity, innovation, accountability, transparency and compliance to Public Service Rules.
Fifteen staff from all the departments received various gifts on the occasion.