By Lawal Tanko
The newly appointed Head of Service for Niger State (HoS), Abubakar Sadiq Idris has said that the Office of Head of Service will soon unveil an ambitious initiative aimed at empowering civil servants approaching retirement.
The Head of Service made the disclosure at a birthday reception in his honour organized by his family, friends and close associates held at Azzarah Hotel, Minna.
Sadiq Idris explained that the entrepreneurship programme will offer a comprehensive one-year preparatory course in entrepreneurship for civil servants nearing the end of their careers.
He further revealed that the initiative aims to smooth the transition from public service to private enterprise, ensuring financial stability and continued productivity post-retirement.
According to the Head of Service “Our civil servants have dedicated their lives to the betterment of Niger State. It is our duty to ensure they are well-prepared for the next chapter of their lives”.
The programme will equip public servants with the skills and confidence to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to both their personal well-being and the state’s economic growth, Sadiq Idris stressed.
The Head of Service emphasized that this initiative aligns with the State Government’s broader goals of fostering economic development and reducing dependence on public sector employment.
He urged civil servants in the State to exhibit values such as integrity, dedication to duty and loyalty in the discharge of their responsibilities.
In their separate remarks , the Permanent Secretaries, Public Service Office and Establishment, Dr. Joseph Kolo James, Aisha T. Usman and other friends and associates of the celebrant eulogized him for his reliability, simplicity, accommodating as well as selfless service to humanity.
They described the appointment of Abubakar Sadiq Idris as the Head of Service by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as a testimony of his capacity to reposition civil service for optimum productivity and also add value to the New Niger Agenda of the present administration.
It would be recalled that until his appointment as HoS, Sadiq Idris was the Permanent Secretary, General Services, SSG’s Office.