From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Public servants across Nigeria have been urged to embrace professionalism, ethics and continuous growth as essential ingredients for national development.
This call was made by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mallam Ahmed Gobir, during a virtual address at the institute’s Kwara State branch annual public lecture and newsletter launch held in Ilorin.
Gobir said true leadership and excellence go beyond titles and positions, stressing tha what defines success is the impact one leaves behind.
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“Leadership and excellence are not about titles but about the impact we make. Someone wisely said, ‘Always try to make your presence noticed, but your absence felt.’ That is what professionalism, service, and growth are all about — making a lasting impact that speaks long after we are gone,” he stated.
He described professionalism as the foundation of institutional excellence, noting that it encompasses values, ethics, and purpose.
“As professionals and public servants, we are custodians of trust and integrity — unseen architects who shape performance and culture,” he said.
Gobir expressed concern over the nation’s recurrent expenditure, which he said accounts for over 70 percent of the national budget, mostly on personnel costs, without commensurate productivity. “This tells a story — not of failure but of opportunities. It’s an opportunity to reimagine the civil service as an engine of innovation, ethics, and performance,” he said.
The CIPM President urged public servants to commit to continuous learning and capacity development, adding, “Service without standards is sentiment, and growth without ethics is dangerous.”
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary for Service Welfare at the Office of the Kwara State Head of Service, Dr. Shittu Mercy, urged civil servants to embrace professionalism, innovation, and modern work practices to improve productivity.
“Kwara is predominantly a civil service state, and there is a need to review and modernise how we work. There has been a revolution in work processes globally, and we must catch up by adopting HR analytics and smarter methods that make our work more efficient instead of harder,” she said.
She identified punctuality, diligence, confidentiality, courtesy, resourcefulness, and integrity as key values for achieving excellence in the civil service.
“Effective and efficient service delivery is not negotiable if governance must succeed,” she added.
Dr. Shittu also advised workers to set clear career goals, pursue professional certifications, and cultivate critical skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork.
The Kwara State Chairperson of CIPM, Mrs. Azeezat Ibrahim, described the event as the beginning of a new tradition that would inspire excellence and strengthen professionalism in the state.
She explained that the branch’s “IMPACT Agenda” focuses on institutional strengthening, membership growth, professional development, and community responsibility.
She also encouraged civil servants to join the institute, saying, “CIPM provides structure, recognition, and limitless opportunities for career growth.”
Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, commended CIPM for sustaining a platform that promotes ethics and professionalism in the public sector.
She urged civil servants to leave behind a legacy of integrity and excellence. “Let us not rest on our oars and just say it’s public service. When you leave, what will people say about your service?” she asked.
The Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olaniyi, appreciated participants for their support, assuring that CIPM Kwara would continue to uphold its mandate of promoting professionalism and human capital development.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Prof. Mamman Saba Jibril, national executives of CIPM, senior government officials, and professionals from across the state.
