By Goodluck B Ikiebe
Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa has said that the Commission is seriously reinventing meritocracy in the civil service.
He said various policies by the government in recent times are in the best interest of the country and would soon yield the needed results; stressing that he has had opportunities of working with a whole range of economic professionals in the past.
Olaopa was speaking when he received in audience a delegation from Nigeria Economic Society (NES) which paid him a courtesy call in his office.
Flanked by Commissioners, Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ede Ogaba, and other Management staff at the event, Olaopa said anyone with basic understanding of economics cannot fault President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s policy on the country so far.
He revealed that he was involved in a lot of development work, asserting that reviving institutionalized partnership for policy engagement to serve as a veritable input into the policy process is key.
Olaopa lamented that economists are not given their right place not just at the planning levels but also at the Ministry of Finance.
He emphasized that the Commission would continue to work with relevant stakeholders including Heads of Service, planners, economists, HR professionals etc. to deepen development conversation and also, find the right kind of incentive.
While alluding to the strategic policy priorities of the President, Olaopa reiterated that the performance and accountability moves of the government will energize the performance bond for good governance as part of the critical success factors.
Also, while talking about negative research policy in the country, Olaopa stressed that notwithstanding the statistics information, the country lacks data culture. Hence, the government needs to invest a lot in collecting and getting accurate data.
He declared that data usage should be legislated for day to day activities in the civil service.
Speaking earlier, President, Nigerian Economic Society, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, who led the team to the Commission, thanked the Chairman for receiving them within a short notice.
He congratulated the Chairman and his Commissioners for their appointment and equally the Commission for the reception given to the visiting team saying that it will not be taken for granted.
While recognizing the importance of the Federal Civil Service as the engine room of governance; he stated that it was the duty of every government to invest in the civil service because that can determine the success of the administration.
He further said that the Commission headed by an experienced public administrator like Prof. Olaopa and surrounded by formidable Commissioners, will achieve its mandate.
Prof. Adenikinju disclosed that the Society had contributed to the growth and economic policies of the country many times; adding that its members in both private and public sectors were often consulted as regards major economic issues in the country and we must continue to encourage such engagement.
He emphasized that the Society consults for other countries but the country has not taken adequate advantage of this; saying that working cooperation between the Commission and the organization in terms of training and capacity building of core career level economists, is key.
He revealed that with Colleges of Education and over 200 Universities across the federation having the Department of Economics, the Society is open to the Commission to provide her with support and opportunities it may require.
He added that Ministries like Finance, Budget & Planning, trade & investment and others are economic oriented that experts of the Society can support.
Prof Adenikinju noted that the importance of research to the Commission cannot be over-emphasized as it will enable the Commission to know what works, what is not working and why it is not working.
He disclosed that the organization will like to partner with the Commission in this regard.
The President used the visit to formally invite the Chairman to the Society’s Conference holding in Abuja from September 17th to 19th, 2024.
According to him, the Conference theme: “Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. Imperatives, Implications and Impacts” expects over 1000 Economists to grace the event, will be an opportunity to network on recent developments, know other policy issues and major benefit for interactions.
