Towards equipping Federal Civil Servants to properly drive ongoing reforms, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, on Wednesday said there will be year round training on Civil Servants.
The training, she said, will be conducted cadre by cadre and cut across all grade levels in the Federal Civil Service.
She made the remark while declaring open a 3-Day service-wide protocol training programme to enhance the capacity of officers engaged in protocol related duties.
The training by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is themed “Professionalism in Protocol: Elevating Standards for Effective Service Delivery,"
According to Mrs Walson-Jack, the theme of the training underscored the importance of equipping officers with skills, knowledge and attitude required to function effectively in protocol related assignments
She said "This training is captured under the Pillar 1 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 which is now being expanded to enhance capacity building initiatives across the service.
"Through this strategy, we aim to train Civil Servants year round, Cadre by Cadre, across all grade levels to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to deliver exceptional service and drive the ongoing reforms in the Federal Civil Service."
The role of protocol officers, public relations officers, information officers, and personal assistants, she said, cannot be overstated
She also noted that they serve as the frontline representatives of their Ministies, Departments, and Agencies interphasing with dignitaries, coordinating protocol arrangements, managing the media and ensuring smooth communication.
"As such, the need for professionalism, precision excellence in your duties is imperative" she stated
Mrs Walson-Jack also stressed that the objectives of the training are clear, adding, "It is evident that lapses in protocol, media relations and support roles, particularly when dealing with VIPs have significant implications"
Addressing such challenges, she said, requires capacity building, continuous learning and mindset of excellence.
"These are the qualities we expect you to embrace over the course of this programme" the HCSF stated
On her part, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, Permanent Secretary Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, stressed that the strategy reflects the importance of building capacity and professionalism across the service.
Protocol, she said, is central to effective service delivery, ensuring order at every levels.
"It is not only essential for protocol officers, but also for information officers and all civil servants whose roles intercept with protocol." she stated
Charging the participants to take advantage of the training, she said, it has provided them the opportunity to equip themselves.
Those who graced the occasion included the former Minister of Information and former Deputy State Governor of Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku, Amb Godknows Igali, other diplomats and retired permanent secretaries.