The Kogi State Chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has called upon the state government to replicate the Federal Government’s palliative initiative by granting approval for the N35,000 wage package for civil servants in the state. Comrade Sule Ahmed Tijani, the Chairman of the association, made this appeal during the Annual Seminar/Workshop hosted by the Association for Senior Civil Servants in Kogi State, held in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Tijani said, “The removal of subsidy on fuel had inflicted untold hardship on the average Nigerian worker, especially Kogi civil servants”, noting that it had also affected them in the performance of their duties.
He added that workers in the state civil service were already traumatized as a result of the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, and therefore called on Governor Yahaya Bello to consider the plight of pensioners and other vulnerable citizens of the state by working out appropriate palliative measures for them.
“The organized labour, the TUC, NLC and the JPSNC, were already interfacing with the state government on the hardship being experienced by workers in the performance of their duties due to the negative impact of the economy”, he noted.
Speaking further, Tijani also used the forum to remind civil servants in the state of the need to continue to perform their duties in allegiance and loyalty to the government in power, adding that they must be committed to their duties and also defend the interest of the government.
He encouraged workers to leverage the constitutional provisions that grant civil rights the right to be active in Partisan Politics, noting that it’s the only way to better their lot in the current political atmosphere of the country.
“It is, for this reason, I urge us all to take a bold step by joining the Political Parties of our choice and participate actively and vote for the candidate we can hold accountable for whatever they have in their manifestos.
“However, irrespective of our party affiliation, as civil servants, we must not forget that in the performance of our duties, our allegiance and loyalty to the government and party in power must not be doubted. We must be committed to our duties and also defend the interest of the government in our line of duties”, the chairman stated.
During her address, Mrs. Hannah Odio, the State Head of Civil Service, emphasized the crucial role played by civil servants as the driving force behind the execution of government policies and programs, leading to efficient and lasting governance. She highlighted that these achievements are guided by their fundamental principles, such as stewardship, trust, engagement, and professionalism.
Mrs. Odio stressed the importance of civil servants refraining from engaging in partisan politics, citing that it contradicts civil service regulations that explicitly prohibit such involvement. She reiterated that civil servants must adhere strictly to professionalism, as it forms the foundation of the policy framework for promoting good governance.
