NEAPS Awards: Pres. Tinubu calls for accountability, excellence in public service
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian public servants to uphold public trust by being accountable to the citizens they serve. Emphasizing that public institutions are not personal enterprises, Tinubu urged public servants to remember that they are employees of the Nigerian people.
This call to action was made on Saturday during the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an environment where merit is rewarded, and public servants feel valued and motivated to give their best.
“More than ever, our public service must live up to its expectation as a public trust where every official must account to the people, and ours is to create an ecosystem where they not only stand out but stand apart from those who sabotage us,” Shettima said, delivering the President’s speech titled, “Honouring the Heartbeats of Public Service.”
Despite institutional measures to prevent irregularities in public service, Tinubu acknowledged that some loopholes are still being exploited.
He stressed the importance of continuous reminders that public institutions are not personal enterprises and that every public servant is accountable to the Nigerian citizen.
The NEAPS, a private sector initiative in partnership with the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), aims to inspire the nation’s workforce by setting benchmarks and creating a ripple effect of positive change.
President Tinubu further emphasized that reward and recognition are critical markers of thriving institutions and nations.
“Our labor force remains the ultimate reflection of our principles, as practiced by men and women who rise every day with a commitment to building a better future for all citizens. We therefore owe these silent architects of our national progress more than just a debt of gratitude,” he stated.
The President praised Nigerian public servants, emphasizing the importance of remembering their contributions to motivate and inspire others. He noted that excellence should not be an orphan, and NEAPS plays a crucial role in recognizing the unsung heroes who keep the wheels of government and society turning.
Earlier, SGF George Akume highlighted that NEAPS recognizes and rewards innovation, leadership, and hard work in the public service across all levels of government and the private sector.
He also assured that the initiative would be maintained as a regular feature to motivate and encourage excellence.
NEAPS honored 44 individuals, including notable figures such as General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who received the Peace Building award; Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, both awarded for Parliamentary Excellence; Chief of Staff to the President Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, recognized for Leadership and Administration; and Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), who was awarded Administrator par Excellence.
Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, and Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu were acknowledged for their sector-specific interventions in their respective states.
Other honorees included FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who received the Infrastructure Delivery award (Federal); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso for Monetary Policy Reforms; President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote for Industrial Revolution; former SGF Boss Mustapha for Lifetime Achievement; and Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Chief Jim Ovia for Lifetime Achievement in Banking.
