The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan has sensitised Aides to Ministers serving under President Bola Tinubu on rules guiding public service sector so as to achieve harmonious working relationship between them and the civil servants.

Speaking at a one day workshop organised by her office, Yemi-Esan, represented by Dr Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strategies Office, Yemi-Esan said the workshop was in line with President Tinubu's renewed hope agenda towards national development.

"In line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, office of the Head of Service is committed to ensuring that the required synergy and harmonious working relationship exists between the office of the honourable ministers who are the representatives of Mr President.

"And the civil servants under the administrative leadership of Head of Service and the transformative Permanent Secretaries in HOS' s office.

"As we all know, our country is at the critical point in its journey towards national development and it is our responsibilities to support our principals. "

She said the move was to ensure that the much needed policies and programmes are effectively and efficiently implemented so as to secure the future Nigeria desires in order to maximize its full economic and developmental potential.

"This sensitisation workshop is therefore, designed to further build our capacity to support the achievements of each ministry's mandates, strategic objectives and targets in line with president renewed hope agenda. "

Yemi-Esan listed some key areas to cover at the forum to include revised public service rules, financial regulations, public procurement act, ethical code of conduct in the public service, administrative procedure and relevant reforms in relation to the renewed hope agenda.

"This will equip participants with the necessary information that will guide the day to day activities and facilitate a smooth working relationship between Ministerial Aides and civil servants.

"The overall goal of this sensitisation workshop is to promote synergy and improve harmony in a work place for maximum productivity and impact." 

Earlier in her welcome remarks, Dr Mimi Abu, Director, Organisation, Design and Development, explained that the gathering was to have a shared mission to enhance collective understanding to give maximum support to various ministers through their aides.

This, she said the initiative is to help them effectively in the discharge of their duties in line with Mr president's agenda.

"We are here today with the shared mission to enhance our collective understanding and capability in supporting our honourable ministers effectively in the discharge of their duties and in achieving and delivering the renewed hope agenda.

"I trust you are all aware that the role of an aide to a minister is both crucial and challenging. You are not only the backbone of the ministers' daily operations but also the bridge between the ministers and various stakeholders. "

Contributing, Mr Adamu Ladan from Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, said he was optimistic that the participants would gain more than expected at the end of the event as some of them might not have had such opportunity in the course of discharging their duties.

"The very first expectation is for us participants to be abreast of rules and procedures for guiding the ministers' aides to know how to conduct their activities when it comes to managing public affairs and in relation to their principals.

"And also, to conduct their affairs as they are remaining as middle men between their principals and the civil servants.

"I am sure at the end of the clinic and with the line up of activities, the participants would be acquainted with the principles of working harmoniously with the civil servants because if there is no such synergy, I don't think the system will work well.

Ladan said the workshop was imperative, adding that it will foster the needed synergy at the end of the day.

Also, Mr Obafemi Bajomo, Special Adviser to Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo on Foreign Direct Investment and Capital Improvement Programmes, commended the office of the HOS for initiating such a workshop.

"I must commend the office of the Head of service for creating such an environment where we, Aides to Ministers can dialogue and also to learn as far as what ethical standards should be as stated by the code of conduct and every other law that is  surrounding work ethics in public service sector. 

"As public servants, we need to be cognisant of the fact of the boundaries, what we are allowed to do and what we are not. "