Lawrence Olaoye 
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HSCF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack has sought a collaboration with the alumni of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (AANI) to build Civil Servants’ capacity for service delivery.
This, according to her, was to sustain efforts to explore further improvement on the implementation of Pillar1 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25), which focuses on building staff capabilities and talent management.
In a release by the Head of Information and Public Relations of the Service, Mrs Eno Olotu, the HCSF disclosed this during a courtesy visit to NIPSS’ Alumni Association led by the President, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, to her office in Abuja.
According to her, the visit marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and AANI stating that the partnership would add value and address the skills gaps identified in the system.
She said, “AANI will sit perfectly well with our pillar one initiative dwelling on capabilities building and talent management. We are expanding existing training programmes, reviewing our curricula, adopting e-learning and introducing other initiatives to build the capacity of staff”.
Walson-Jack also informed that the Office was escalating the implementation of the six pillars of the FCCSIP-25 and explained that each of the pillars was implemented in line with the strategy document.
While commending the enormous research work conducted by participants during their programmes at the National Institute, she advised that such research documents should be collated by the Institute and sent to relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies of Government, to aid policy formulation and implementation.
Earlier, the President of the Alumni Association stated that the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies was the highest policy Think Tank in the country that had produced several technocrats and Statesmen who have and were contributing favourably to the development of Nigeria.
He also noted that there has not been any problem in Nigeria, that has not been researched by the Institute, adding that the Government would benefit immensely from utilising the services of AANI.
While congratulating the HCSF on her appointment, he assured her of the Alumni’s unflinching support and commitment to driving positive change through partnerships in the Service and for the development of Nigeria.
“The National Institute, contributes immensely to national development as Nigeria’s apex policy think-tank, through numerous evidence-based policy recommendations as well as through constant, constructive engagement with policymakers at all levels”. he stated.
In the same vein, the Unity Schools Old Students Association(USOSA) led by the President-General Mr. Michael Magaji also paid a courtesy visit to the HCSF.
He congratulated the HCSF, also an alumni of two Unity schools, on her well-deserved appointment, adding ” I am very confident that she will do well. I can attest to her leadership skills, penchant for excellence, good behaviour and love for country”.
He assured the HCSF of the Association’s unalloyed support in her drive to revamp the Federal Civil Service.
The HCSF of the Federation thanked the Association for their commitment to the unity of Nigeria.
She also sought their support for resource persons to build the capacity of Civil Servants, Teachers and Federal Training Centre Participants, in fulfilment of the goals of Pillar 1 of the FCSSIP-25 strategy document.
Permanent Secretaries in attendance at the events were: Common Services Office Mr Raymond Omachi, Services Policies and Strategies Office, Dr Deborah Bako Odoh, Career Management Office, and Mrs Fatimah Mahmoud. Others were: Directors Overseeing Permanent Secretaries, Service Welfare Office and Special Duties Office.
