By Okon Okon
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan has called on heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to recognise and reward their employees who are outstanding in the discharge of their duties.
Yemi-Esan made the call at the Recognition and Award Ceremony of 20 outstanding members of staff of the office of the HOCSF, on Thursday in Abuja.
The HOS said workers could by means of recognitions of their efforts and reward, work harder than expected by their employers, when they are motivated
She added that employers could also lose their employees’ talents when they are not appreciated.
“We have seen and it has been scientifically proven that there are several ways to retain your employees and the ones that occurs most of the time is motivation.
“And so for this reason, President Muhammadu Buhari has put in place a framework to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of very resourceful employees of government.
” This is by providing reward and recognition in a fair and timely manner, ” she said.
According to her, the idea of establishing a reward and recognition system in service is further underscored by the understanding of the nexus between incentive and performance.
In addition, the need to recognise the outstanding performance and the talents in the civil service.
“And so we have a policy today on reward and recognition and the main objective is to improve productivity as well as to attract and nurture and then retain best employees in the civil service. “
Earlier, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusufu, Permanent Secretary, Common Services, Office of the HOCSF, said the celebration of recognition/ award for staff with exceptional performance had been institutionalised by the Federal Government, hence the need for the event.
Yusufu said the management chose the occasion as the best medium and unique opportunity to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate members of staff for their resilient hard work, dedication and commitment in the discharge of their duties.
“It is our expectations that the recognition of the staff by the management will boost staff morales, give them a sense of belonging, motivate them to better and grater service and consequently, improve efficiency and service delivery, ” he said.
In appreciation, Mrs Gloria Onovo, from Human Resource department and one of the awardees, expressed gratitude to God for being recognised for the award.
“I will say thanks be to God for this award because you might work hard but if God’s favour, blessing is not upon it your work might be in vain, so will say thanks be to God for this award.
“I will also thank the head of civil service for her motherly roles to ensure the actualisation of this vision, ” she said.
The highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of certificates of honour to 20 staff with exceptional performance, presentation of cash gifts to all the awardees, presentation of gift items such as refrigerator, generator to two out of the 20 staff members.
(NAN)