By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Rep. James Faleke, has urged civil servants to uphold integrity and due process in the discharge of their duties, saying the country’s development depends largely on the quality and commitment of its public service.
Faleke made the call on Sunday in Abuja on the sidelines of the launch of a book titled the Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers and the retirement ceremony of the Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Oscar Okoro, who recently turned 60.
According to the lawmaker, civil servants remain the backbone of governance and play a critical role in ensuring that government policies and programmes are implemented in line with established rules and procedures.
“The civil service mainly builds the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we politicians rely on,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria would be better off if public servants remained committed to due process, even in situations where they face pressure to act otherwise.
“Even when the politician says let us do it the other way and he says no, let us follow the rules, I think Nigeria will be better off,” Faleke said.
The lawmaker described Okoro as a dedicated, hardworking and committed civil servant whose career should serve as a model for younger generations.
“It is about dedication to the development of Nigeria. When you trust and believe in the country, you will want to see the success of the country,” he added.
Also speaking, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Abubakar Saidu, described Okoro as a consummate professional whose relationship with colleagues extended beyond official duties.
“He is very dedicated, very patient, he is a professional, excellent and committed as well as exemplary when it comes to the job,” Saidu said.
The House spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, also commended Okoro for what he described as meritorious service to the National Assembly and the country.
“My encouragement to people in service is that this is the kind of person to model and pattern their careers after, people that have integrity and diligence as their watchword,” Rotimi said.
Responding, Okoro attributed his successful career to hard work, patience, humility and faith in God.
“You have to know your onions, be hardworking, be patient, humble and respectful. If these are lacking, you are bound to fail either in the National Assembly or anywhere in life,” he said.
Okoro said he would return to legal practice and consultancy after retirement while dedicating more time to mentoring younger people and serving God.
Earlier, the reviewer of the book, Prof. Kabir Danladi of the Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University, described the publication as a practical guide to legislative practice in Nigeria.
Danladi recommended the book to lawmakers, politicians and Nigerians seeking a better understanding of the legislative process.
