Prof . Tunji Olaopa’s leadership of the Federal Civil Service Commission ( FCSC) was commended on Thursday as a former federal permanent secretary and erstwhile Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Dr ( Mrs) Dere Awosika paid a courtesy visit to him in his office in Abuja.
Dr Awosika said that she decided to visit the commission in acknowledgment of the positive changes that had begun under the leadership of Prof. Olaopa. According to her, the commission is the fabric of the nation’s governance as the private sector depends on the government, which is being managed by the civil service. She added that the commission builds the public service and that the private sector depends on the government for its operational success. She said that the civil servants understand the issues that the private sector wants the government to address. Consequently, she said she was glad that she was a civil servant because a civil servant could serve anywhere.
Earlier, Olaopa acknowledged Awosika as his senior in the federal service and as an accomplished federal permanent secretary .
He described her as a role model not just for the womenfolk, but also for the career and professional civil servants.
Olaopa said: “I specifically celebrate you for being a chip off the old block, who embodies the values of a renowned Nigerian family with a pedigree that stands tall in the annals of public service in Nigeria.
“Your exemplary achievements post-retirement wherein you progressed to assume the position of the chairperson of the board of directors of one of Nigerian leading banks, Access Bank Plc, and an honorary consul of the Czech Republic should be a source of inspiration to upcoming civil servants that beyond years of toiling as bureaucrats, there can be a distinguished life after retirement.”
According to Olaopa, at a personal level, he knows Awosika as a woman of strong Christian values, “who lives her life with the fear of God. In this regard, you indeed inspired me during the many times I related with you in service.”
Other top leaders of the commission who were present at the meeting also paid tribute to Awosika.
The commissioner representing Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States, Dr Ibrahim Jalo Daudu who described her as the queen of the civil service said that stakeholders in the civil service were proud of the work she was doing outside public service.. He commended her for having the interest of the civil service at heart.
The commissioner representing Jigawa and Kano States , Ambassador Aminu Nabegu also commended her for her interest in the civil civil service despite her commitments to the corporate sector.
Also, the commissioner representing Akwa Ibom and Cross River States Ededet Eyoma commended Olaopa for giving him the opportunity to see Awosika physically after a long time of seeing her only on television.
On her part, the Commissioner representing Kogi and Kwara States, Rukiyat Odekunle said that even though she was young in the civil service when Awosika was a key player in it, observing her from a far distance was a source of inspiration to her and other young women.
Leave a Reply