Maryam Aminu
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that the government’s policies will soon yield positive results for the country.
The Minister made this appeal during the celebration of the Joint Union Negotiating Council (JUNC) week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, held at the Atiku Hall, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja.
The event, themed “The Working People in a Volatile, Uncertain, and Complex Economy,” marked the first JUNC week since the demerger of the Ministries of Youth and Sports.
Speaking at the gathering, Olawande expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to bring about meaningful change, emphasizing that citizens should trust the process.
“I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take a good shape, and the lives of its citizens will be transformed. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man of integrity who has no personal interest in looting the nation’s treasury. He is a proven success and epitome of wealth and, as such, is fully committed to serving the country.” Olawande said
The Minister further highlighted the nature of leadership as a call to service, stressing that the impact public officials make during their time in office will be their lasting legacy.
“Leadership is about commitment. If you are a Minister today, tomorrow you will be a former Minister. The impact you make while in office is what will speak for you in the future,” he added.
Olawande commended the staff of the Ministry for their dedication and loyalty to government policies and programs.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its workers, acknowledging the essential role they play in achieving the administration’s goals.
“Hardworking employees deserve fair remuneration,” Olawande emphasized, promising that the government would not neglect their well-being.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, urged staff members to put in their best efforts as promotions from next year would be based on the newly introduced Performance Management System (PMS), replacing the Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER).
He explained that PMS provides a more accurate reflection of an employee’s contributions and would serve as the criteria for future career advancements.
Olusanya disclosed that the welfare of the staff is his priority as workers deserve the best for the services rendered.
He opined that “the hungry man is an angry man and as a worker, if you are not treated fairly and properly, it is impossible to get the best out of you. As a result, all staff will be treated properly as motivation to propel the best in you”, he concluded.
In her keynote address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, assured civil servants that ongoing reforms aimed at revitalizing the Civil Service were on track.
She urged workers to remain committed and diligent in their service to the nation, adding that these reforms would ensure a more efficient and corruption-free civil service.
Speaking also, the General Secretary of the Union, Mr. Jerry Akume, celebrated the union’s recent achievements, including the upward review of staff welfare, timely payment of repatriation allowances, and improvements in staff training programs.
Akume called on the Ministry to continue addressing key issues such as the procurement of staff buses, improvement in welfare packages for festive seasons, and consistent general staff training.
The JUNC week serves as an important opportunity to reflect on the progress of the Ministry and address the needs of its workforce.
This year’s edition comes at a critical time as the Ministry focuses on addressing the challenges of the nation’s complex economy while supporting youth development initiatives.
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