FG commits to implementation of a standardised rewards and recognition process in MDAs

*Cross Section of Participants@the workshop in Nasarawa State*

By M.A. Ahmed

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has reiterated its commitment towards motivating the workforce for greater efficiency and service delivery to the citizenry through the adoption of a standardised process for Recognition and Rewards System in Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to acknowledge officers, who have distinguished themselves, exceptionally, in the discharge of their duties.

The Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (SWO) in the Office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mr. Mahmud Adam Kambari, revealed this at a two-day Workshop on “Building Effective Implementation Rewards and Recognition System” for Directors of Human Resources Management (HRM) and Deputy Directors in charge of Staff Welfare, across MDAs, from 18th – 19th January, 2024.

The Rewards and Recognition System (R&RS) is institutionalised in the Federal Civil Service to recognise and showcase significant and outstanding value-adding contributions and performance of Civil Servants, in-line with pillar six (6) of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCSSIP-25), which aims at “Enhanced Value Proposition of Civil Servants”.

Mr. Mahmud stated that the implementation of the R&RS has been successful thus far, with MDAs conducting Departmental Awards and Recognition, MDAs Awards and Recognition, as well as the Service-Wide Awards and Recognition being one of the major events of the annual Civil Service Week celebrations. He, however, noted that there is need to improve on the implementation of the programme, particularly in the selection process to optimize efficiency, which is the purpose of the training workshop.
He noted that to achieve a seamless standardized selection process across MDAs the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders is needed in addressing gaps observed in the programme, specifically in the Service-Wide Awards and Recognition Scheme.

The Permanent Secretary also disclosed the new addition of “Work-Life Balance Award” to the categories of Awards. “Work-Life Balance Award is an integral part of work culture aimed at diffusing stress from the work environment,” he added.

Mr. Kambari, charged the Service-wide Awards Selection Committee (SWASCo), saddled with the responsibility of selecting awardees for the Service-Wide Awards and Recognition, to ensure that difficulties encountered during appraisal of nominations for the 2023 Edition of the Federal Civil Service R&RS, such as lack of adherence to the guidelines for the R&RS, submission of un-endorsed nominations, absence of a constituted Ministerial Awards Selection Committee in some MDAs, late submission of nominations, poorly written citations, inadequate information of nominees and low turnout on submission of nominees for Sports Achievement Award are addressed for the purpose of standardising the programme.

He also urged the Directors of Human Resource Management and Deputy Directors in charge of staff welfare, who serve as Chairmen and Secretaries of the Ministerial Awards Selection Committees, to comply with the guidelines of the R&RS and develop a culture that supports fairness and transparency in the nomination process. He also advised MDAs that are yet to constitute a Ministerial Awards Selection Committee to do so to avoid disqualification in the 2024 Edition of the Awards.

Earlier in a Goodwill Message, the Director General, National Productivity Centre, Dr. Nasir Olaitan Raji-Mustapha, noted that the R&RS initiative is in consonance with global best practices of driving institutional productivity and growth.

The Deputy Director, Employee Relations, Alhaji Mohammed Abba Abdullahi, in his Vote of Thanks appreciated the Management for organising the workshop, as well as applauded participants for making valuable contributions.

Presentations were made on the following topics: General Overview of the Federal Civil Service Rewards and Recognition System(R&RS),
Citation Development in line with Guidelines of the Rewards and Recognition System(R&RS),
Actionable Steps for Work-Life Balance Award and Citation for Sports Achievement Award.

M. A. Ahmed,
Director, Communications.
OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION
PRESS RELEASE

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