Tinubu: Recipients of public service awards recognised for giant strides to transform Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu says the 44 recipients of the 2024 Nigerian Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) were recognised for their giant strides to transform Nigeria.

The ceremony was held at the State House conference centre in Abuja, on Saturday.

The president said the recipients of the awards had consistently put hard work and dedication at the centre of their initiatives.

The award ceremony was organised by the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF) alongside The Best Strategic PR (TBS), a private firm.

Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the event, Tinubu said public officers must be accountable to the people.

“I know that public officers will be challenged to perform above board now that they know they are being monitored by the people,” the president said.

“Public service is a public trust where officers and even employees must be accountable to the people whom they should always serve with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.

“They are expected to act with patriotism and think outside the box in order to solve the many problems facing the people that they lead.”

George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), said the awards were purely a private-sector initiative.

“This is indeed a scorecard of our public officers, and I am glad that Mr. President has approved the hosting of this event,” Akume said.

“This recognition underscores your level of performance in your different strata and charges you to do more in the performance of your duties.

“NEAPS 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.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank The Best Strategic Media (TBS) for initiating and sustaining this award and for the thorough work done in the selection of these eminent persons and organisations to receive awards in the various categories.”

On her part, Mariam Mohammed, NEAPS founder, said the awards could be a catalyst for the development of any society.

“Now, when changemakers, be they individuals or institutions, are identified, recognised, and appreciated, a culture of meritocracy becomes entrenched, which can be a catalyst for meaningful growth and development in any society,” Mohammed said.

“For these reasons, a private sector initiative of The Best Strategic Media was conceptualized.”

Those who received the awards are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nyesom Wike, minister of federal capital territory (FCT); Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff (CoS) to the president; Yemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); and Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives.

The list also includes seven state governors, who are Peter Mbah of Enugu, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mohammed Bago of Niger, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun.

Wale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Zach Adedeji, executive chairman of the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS); Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP); Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC); Khalil Suleiman Halilu, executive vice-chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI); are among the award recipients.

Others are Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff; Epa Undiandeye, chief of defence intelligence; Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff; Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of naval staff; Hasan Abubakar, chief of air staff; Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Abike Dabiri, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); Boss Mustapha, former secretary to the government of the federation; James Faleke and Aliyu Betara, both members of the house of representatives; Musa Sani, a senator; and Zuwaira Gambo, Borno state commissioner for women affairs.