President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the mission of his administration is to rebuild Nigeria into a competitive, virile, strong and productive economy where the citizens are creative, innovative, responsive, accountable, incorruptible, patriotic and diligent.
To achieve this, he told civil servants who are in the habit of abandoning their duties to brace up to the new realities of his administration as he will personally hold them collectively and individually responsible for the planning and implementation of the change contemplated by his administration.
The President, who spoke at the 2015 National Productivity Day and conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit award, said he has resolved to personally drive the productivity crusade in the country and directed the National Productivity Centre to put in place machinery for him to launch the productivity movement in Nigeria.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, the President also directed the establishment of productivity and efficiency units in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to drive the change agenda in the public sector.
He assured that the National Productivity Centre will be encouraged and empowered to ensure the Implementation of this directive as well as to carry out its mandate of ensuring a productive nation.
Buhari said: “We shall dedicate ourselves to the ideals of resilience, integrity, excellence, standards, goodwill, accountability, good governance, patriotism and productivity. The time has now come for all hands to be on deck to work assiduously towards a new improved, recharged and productive Nigeria.
“The hope of self reliance and self confidence that we are capable of accepting the challenges of nation building by practically demonstrating that given the appropriate opportunities, we can be as efficient and effective as any group anywhere in the world.
“This administration assumed office at a time when morale was at its lowest ebb at all strata of the Nigerian society and the nation was functioning as a rudderless ship. There was a clear evidence that the system was not working the way it should and the people had even lost confidence and hope in the government hence the inevitable clamour for the much needed change.
“I wish to commend the usual great resilience of our people and the speed at which they woke up from slumber to respond to the realities of our time. Given the right political leadership and judicious management of human and material resources the Nigeria of our dream can still be attained.
“This is the onerous task that this administration has taken upon itself and we shall not rest on our oars in the quest to achieve this objective. All we need is your support, patience, loyalty, patriotism and perseverance.”
