By Alex O. Atawa Akpodiete
This past week, I was privileged to be one of those invited to the National Productivity Day (NPD) and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Awards, bestowed on sixteen (16) individuals and three (3) organizations.
Of all the awardees, there was only one Deltan and he was the former Head of the Civil Service of Delta State, Sir. Okechukwu Ofili, mni.
Sometime prior to his retirement in 2014, I had met him and wrote a piece titled “CPS AS PANACEA TO PENSION SCAM.” That article was prompted by the informative and educative training workshop organized by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) Abuja for the staff of the Bureaus of State and Local Government Pension in Asaba. The 2-Day workshop was in March 2013. The then Delta State Head of Service, Sir. Okey Ofili mentioned in his welcome address that “In Delta State, we have taken the bull by the horn with the domestication of the contributory Pension Scheme Law in the State and we have gone ahead to make payment of benefits to our retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The Contributory Pension Scheme intends to encourage the habit of savings among workers and workers are encouraged to save more than the 7 ½ % provided in the law as their contribution to the scheme and that CPS needs a lot of political will to succeed.”
Of course, he went into retirement and benefited from the CPS he midwifed in the state. He also was said to have helped a lot of people, including Asaba indigenes. So, Sir Ofili was not a new person to me. Nonetheless, I was still struck by his humility and extreme gentility. When the previous day, I was at the National Productivity Center and was discussing him with the Public Relations Officer in charge of the event, Mr. Kashim Akor, I was happy to have known the man. That is why the biblical mandate that a good name is better than riches is always appropriate. (Pr. 22:1 & Ec 7:1).
There are some Nigerians that do not know anything about NPD or NPOM. According to Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu, CON, FNIM, Honourable Minister of Labour And Productivity, two of the objectives of NPD are: “To institutionalize productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organizations in both public and private sectors in Nigeria emphasizing hard work, high performance, efficiency, discipline, dedication, humility and patriotism; and To award workers and organizations proper and due recognition for hard work, high performance, high productivity and research achievements.”
The government of President Goodluck Jonathan has committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes one of the twenty largest economies by the year 2020 and all Nigerians should get on board the Transformation Agenda. The conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award on some deserving Nigerians by Mr. President, His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR is meant to also encourage better output by other Nigerians. That is the reason why “the formulation of a National Policy on Productivity by this administration would easily rank as one of the most important decisions of government in recent times. This policy, the first ever in the history of Nigeria, was approved by the Federal Executive Council in February 2012. It provides a systematic and comprehensive roadmap to ensuring sustainable productivity growth in Nigeria.”
As part of NPD celebration, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Godwin Emefiele, delivered an Award Lecture on theme ”Productivity and Creativity for Sustainable Peace and Security”.
In his press briefing, Chief. Wogu, stated that “The observance of National Productivity Day (NPD) and the conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit is one positive step by government to stimulate the psyche of Nigerians towards redirecting their efforts to the growth and development of our economy. At both the individual and organizational level, the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) is a thoughtful incentive scheme designed to positively affect productivity. The Award has indeed been creating the desired awareness and competitive spirit among government officials at the Federal, State and Local government levels and the Private sector who constantly strive to improve their productivity and be listed for recognition the conferment of the award. “
Sir Ofili was nominated by Delta State government and recognized for his productivity, while in the service of the state. The citation of this astute administrator read as follows, “this distinguished public servant was instrumental to the prohibition of casual workers in Delta State. He worked and secured the approval of the State Governor to regulate the appointment of 1,072 casual workers some of whom had put in over 15 years as casuals.”
Nigeria is a nation that never forgets excellence and service. As the Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo said on behalf of the President, “the full significance of today is to revive and inspire our country men and women to achieve higher productivity.” The Vice President reminded us that since the President entered office, “our administration has worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of Nigerians and inspite of the daunting challenges, our efforts have yielded results.” In 2013, Nigeria experienced a growth rate of 7 to 14 percent with 510 billion dollars Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making Nigeria the largest in Africa. Nigeria is now recognized as a top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
I am an ardent proponent that if individual Nigerians can maximize their productivity, the country will be a much better place to live because increased productivity translates to improved standard of living. Nigeria remains a blessed country, despite the efforts of “agents of retrogression” as the President put it. To quote the President, “despite that our nation now faces unprecedented security challenges, our determined efforts remain resolute.”
Nigeria will continue to improve whether our enemies like it or not. Think about it.
*Rev. Akpodiete, a public affairs analyst writes from Asaba. He is also an aspirant for Udu/Ughelli North/Ughelli South Federal Constituency in Delta State & publisher of Politics Governance. Contact him on 08138391661 or Profatawa@gmail.com,
