…Promises deliberate approach to transform the Commission
With the image of the Commission at stake, the newly sworn in Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa has said he was committed to the transformation and creative disruption of the organisation.
The Chairman made this remark at the resumption ceremony organized for him at the Commission on Wednesday.
He noted that as a reformer he will be deliberate in his approach in turning things around at the Commission; saying that in his first few months he would pursue vigorously the rebranding of the organization to restore its integrity. He also said that basic functions of the Commission will be assessed in terms of it impact to see where there are gaps including looking at the way recruitment, promotion and discipline are conducted and link them to a larger Human Resources system that is based on merit.
He warned those staff that has become a stain on the organisation’s reputation through their criminal and disreputable acts to desist in their own interest as he was determined to make a few scapegoats to serve as deterrence as nobody is above the law.
Chairman asserts that “he has a zero tolerance for cash and carry culture of some notorious few that has become a stain on the Commission’s reputation, thereby casting an unwelcome shadow on the many hardworking and dedicated personnel that diligently conscientiously commit to the mission of the organization”.
While eulogizing the former Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Tukur Bello Ingawa for doing a great job which he called, “grand innovations and legacies”; he pointed out that he was in the Commission to do serious business and not to play.
Earlier, Dr. Jonah Madugu who was the most senior Commissioner and acting Chairman before the resumption of Professor Olaopa, said with the pedigree of the Chairman he believed he was going to turn things around for good in the organisation.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary. Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata who thanked Mr. President for appointing Professor Olaopa as a round peg in a round hole for the job observed that from the actions of the Chairman and Commissioners after their resumption they really meant business.
Olaopa, who is a native of Oyo State, Nigeria, is also a professor, seasoned public administrator, researcher, author and accomplished scholar-bureaucrat with experience spanning over 40years.
As a former Permanent Secretary who retired in 2016, he worked on several public policy reforms where he was a Director of Programmes, Bureau of Public Service Reforms; Special Assistant on Reforms to the Head of Service of Nigeria on Public Service Reforms as well as Director, External Linkages and Reforms Department, Office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Upon taking over at the Commission, Prof. Olaopa sought to receive briefing from Heads of Department and Units to coalesce his agenda moving forward to 2024. He added that he will rely on the cooperation of staff to drive the implementation of his vision.
