Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Thursday, hounoured five cleaners, a gardener and 17 others for their dedication to duty and promotion of excellence in service delivery.
Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, said at a week-long celebration of the 2024 Customer Service Week in Abuja that a nanny and a kitchen staffer were also among the awardees.
Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that others honoured included; seven police officers, six officers of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDC), a Federal Fire Service officer and a staff member of ICPC Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
He said that the theme of this year’s Week, “Above and Beyond,” aligned with the commission’s commitment to going the extra mile in its service to the “customers”, stakeholders and the country.
He said that the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week, “Above and Beyond,” aligned with the commission’s commitment to go the extra mile in its service to the “customers”, stakeholders, and the country.
“Today, we would be celebrating individuals who are among the service providers to ICPC. These include our cleaners, gardeners, security personnel, amongst others.
“These are people providing support services to us in the background; they are rarely seen but without their services, there will be hiccups to the work of the commission.
“The departments, units and offices nominated those that they feel have performed above and beyond the call of duty and today, we will recognise about 20 of them,” he said.
Aliyu commended the awardees for their service to the commission, which, he said, had greatly helped the anti-graft agency in in his operations.
“I say a big “thank you” for your service to the commission. You did your work with excellence and you are being recognised today, even though you did not seek this recognition.
“Your dedication is a reminder to all of us that true service requires more than just meeting the requirements of a job; it requires passion, commitment, and consistency.
“You have not only met the expectations placed on you but have gone above and beyond, and for that, we commend you,” he said.
He encouraged others who could not receive the award not to relent in their service delivery but keep on working with excellence, going above and beyond the call of duty.
“There are still many others among you whose names are not here today, and this is not because you are not all working with excellence but for the limitation of numbers.
“I want to encourage all of us here today to keep on working with excellence, going above and beyond the call of duty.
“Ultimately, even if ICPC does not recognise you, the Almighty God sees you and will reward you,” he said.
National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that the customer service week, celebrated annually in October, drew attention to the importance of people to boost morale and team work.
“It is a platform to reward employees for the significant work they do e.g. giving certificates or small prizes for outstanding performance.
“It also raises awareness of the value of customer service, such as sharing positive feedback from customers about their experiences,” Akajemeli said.
According to her, the objective of the week is to celebrate the hard work and dedication of employees who strive to create positive customer experiences.
Akajemeli said that it was also to raise awareness internally and externally about the importance of good customer service in building customer loyalty and satisfaction.
She said that it was to show customers that the organisation valued their experience and feedback through comment cards and dedicated hotlines, among others.
ICPC’s Nodal Officer, SERVICOM, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, described the customer service week as a time of reflection on the roles individuals play in ensuring that the commission achieved its mandate.
Ogugua said that the week was to celebrate those providing services to the commission in one way or the other and to appreciate the staff for the work they put in daily.
“Let us also appreciate the opportunity given to us to serve one another and the nation every day. Life is too short to celebrate ourselves only one week in a year. Let us all learn to live with a sense of gratitude,” she said.
Blessing Danjuma, one of the awardees, expressed delight over the award, which, she said, was as result of her dedication and commitment to her duty.
Danjuma, who is a cleaner with the commission, said she was always at the point of her duty and ensure that the environment assigned to her was clean.
Also speaking, another awardee, Sumaila Kabiru, an official of Federal Fire Service, thanked the commission for recognising his commitment and dedication to duty.
Kabiru said that the award would go a long way in encouraging him and others to put in their best in the service to the nation