Federal government to promote entrepreneurship among civil servants
The Nigerian government has stated that it is ready to continue its partnership with the Institute of Directors for the development of entrepreneurship Culture and Commercial Orientation in the Federal Civil Service.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, disclosed this at the Strategic Public Sector Leadership Programme for Federal Permanent Secretaries organized by her office in collaboration with the Institute of Directors Nigeria, in Abuja.
Mrs Oyo-Ita said the programme was aimed at creating a route for Federal Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service to become members of the prestigious IoD Nigeria.
“For them to be exposed to learning that broadens their knowledge in areas such as planning, strategy, decision making, finance, and leadership development.”
She further said that the Federal Civil Service needed to contribute to the economic diversification drive of the Government, which calls for innovative ways of generating income, cutting cost, reducing wastage and ensuring value for money in the implementation of projects and programmes and in the delivery of Government services.
“With the development of culture and commercial orientation in the Federal Civil Service, the service and the MDAs will become idea generation powerhouses, thus complementing the private sector in creating business opportunities as well as develop business innovation initiations such that Civil Servants become very knowledgeable in innovation and entrepreneurship and can translate ideas into business.”
According to her, the programme is not only a preparation for retirement for the Federal Permanent Secretaries in entrepreneurship skills, but also to provide them and indeed the Federal Civil Servants a framework for focusing on truly strategic decisions, those that will impact on their organization’s direction, priorities, culture, and ultimately, its success.
Mrs Oyo-Ita added that the programme would be extended to the Directorate Level officers in all the MDAs and subsequently other Federal Civil Servants.
Speaking earlier, President and Chairman of Council, of e Institute, Mr. Samuel Yemi-Akeju said that the Institute was ready to enter into collaboration with the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in the area of entrepreneurship culture and commercial orientation.
He said it is expected to equip the Federal Permanent Secretaries with techniques for transforming a strategic vision into action projects, with the tools to prioritize and focus resources on the activities most needed to reach the desired future state.
Omolayo.A
