FG SENSITIZES WORKERS ON REWARDS AND RECOGNITION

FG SENSITIZES WORKERS ON REWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The Federal Government through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)at the weekend held a sensitization workshop on the implementation of rewards and recognition scheme in the federal public service, for Directors of human resources management, Deputy Directors of Training and Staff welfare, welfare desk officers and representatives of Union leaders in Ministries and Extra-Ministerial departments.

 Speaking at the opening ceremony of the sensitization workshop in Abuja, Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, said the purpose of the workshop was to reward hard work and boost attitudinal change among workers.

Dr Ngozi who was represented by the Director, Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme (FISH), Mrs Uchenna Obi stated that “it is imperative to institutionalise rewards and recognition scheme(R&RS) in the service, by linking incentives and rewards to performance in order to catalyse attitudinal and work culture change by staff which will ultimately enhance overall productivity and improve service delivery”.

She added that the rewards and recognition scheme will play a vital role in accelerating the implementation of the 2021-2025 Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which targets the development of an efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred (EPIC) culture in the public service.

The Permanent Secretary SWO, disclosed that the newly approved revised public service rules (PSR)2021 contains a number of new initiatives targeted at ensuring the attainment of the vision of the service. She added that chapter six(6) of the revised PSR is devoted to the rewards and recognition of outstanding work in the public service.

The Permanent Secretary reeled out the categories of awards and recognitions to include:

I.                Service-wide Award and Recognition

II.              Sectoral MDAs Award and Recognition

III.             MDAs award and recognition and

IV.            Departmental awards and recognition

She stated that the Rewards and Recognition Scheme will be climaxed annually with a Public Service Awards Ceremony, to recognize and celebrate various service-wide awardees. The ceremony she noted will be organised in collaboration with relevant government stakeholders and will also be opened to private sector and donor agencies for sponsorship.

She added that certificates and plaques for the Service wide and Ministerial Awards would be produced by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for uniformity and standards.

She further stated that information regarding the implementation of the R&RS including names of the various Awardees will be published in the Service Welfare Mobile App for transparency.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director Employee and Industrial Relation, Mr Adebayo Olayiwola stated that the Rewards and Recognition Scheme is set up to reward performance and motivate staff.

 “Research show that frequent acts of appreciation can increase staff confidence in an organisation and leadership, which in turn could lead to higher productivity and reduce burnout” He added.

He further said “the Rewards and Recognition Scheme is one of the target areas under the staff welfare reform initiative developed by the OHCSF to achieve one of the goals of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 2021-2025)”

In her closing remarks the Director Employee Relations and Exit Management, Mrs Olaniyi Bosede encouraged participants to be optimistic about the actualisation of scheme, despite the slim budget line available in most MDAs. ”If we do not celebrate ourselves no one will celebrate us” she added.

Mrs Olaniyi encouraged participants to explore partnerships with donor agencies and development partners. “This scheme can be funded through corporate social responsibilities” she stated.

The workshop focused on the following areas:

i.                overview of Rewards and Recognition Scheme in the Public Service

ii.               operationalization of Rewards and Recognition Scheme in MDAs

·       Funding Awards

·       Establishment of Wall of Fame in MDAs

·       Reporting output from events: Service Welfare Mobile App

·       Timelines for MDA Awards

 The successful implementation of an institutionalised Rewards and Recognition scheme will birth strategic outcomes such as a well-motivated, disciplined, value-driven, skilled, accountable public service leading to improved staff morale, efficient service delivery, improved productivity and good governance for National development.

 

 

Akinwumi Taiwo Olufunke

For: Director Communications

20/12/2021.