President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to public office holders, urging them to shun nepotism, cronyism, and political patronage, which he identified as key drivers of corruption. Speaking at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that these practices undermine institutional trust and distract officials from fulfilling their mandates.
Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President highlighted the importance of accountability, patriotism, and innovative problem-solving among civil servants. “Public service is a public trust,” he said, “and officers must act with integrity, loyalty, and efficiency to address the challenges facing the people.”
The awards ceremony recognized fifty distinguished public officers across various sectors, celebrating their contributions to national development. Among the honorees were Governors Peter Mbah, Umo Eno, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and Bala Mohammed; Ministers Mohammed Idris, Nyesom Wike, Festus Keyamo, and Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; as well as key leaders in agencies like NDLEA and NDDC.
Tinubu described the recognition as both a validation of the awardees’ efforts and a motivation for continued excellence. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised the initiative as a transparent, independent evaluation of public service performance and encouraged the recipients to remain committed to national growth.
The Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, organized by The Best Strategic Media in collaboration with the Office of the SGF, aims to highlight integrity and achievement, fostering a culture of accountability across the country.
