Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

By Flowerbud News

The Federal Government has sought Singapore’s partnership to transform the nation’s civil service to a model of professionalism, efficiency and responsiveness.

Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) sought for the partnership when she led a delegation to Singapore.

The delegation visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development in Singapore.

Walson-Jack, in a statement by Mrs Eno Olotu, Director, Information and Public Relations in Abuja on Sunday, said that the move was to learn from Singapore’s exemplary civil service.

She highlighted the critical importance of collaboration in advancing public service development in Nigeria.

According to her, the visit provided a significant opportunity for the delegation to draw insights and best practices in advancing civil service transformation in Nigeria.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to global excellence in public service, pointing out that the Southeast Asian country was renowned worldwide for its efficiency, transparency, innovation and achievements in public sector transformation.

“The Nigerian delegation is eager to draw inspiration and insights from such successes to drive impactful changes in Nigeria’s civil service.

“The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening ties between the Nigeria’s civil service and Singapore.

“Not only that, both nations aim to establish partnership between the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria.

“This collaboration will focus on joint training programmes, collaborative research, and sharing innovative solutions,” she said.

The HCSFA said that the synergy between the two countries represents a beacon of hope for the quest to transform Nigeria’s civil service into a model of professionalism and efficiency.

She identified some of the key benefits of the partnership to include joint training programmes, collaborative research, and sharing innovative solutions.

This, she said, would empower Nigeria’s civil servants with the needed knowledge and tools to excel.

“By working together, we can build a public service that is responsive, accountable, and dedicated to the welfare of our people and eventually serves as a model for the continent,” she said.

She commended UNDP for facilitating the visit to the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development, formerly Global Centre for Public Service Excellence.

She expressed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing reforms and building partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of its public service.

According to her, the collaboration is expected to pave the way for transformative advancements in training, policy implementation, and service delivery in Nigeria.

“This promised a brighter and more efficient future for Nigeria’s civil service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian delegation, comprising 20 Heads of State Civil Services, is the first batch in the first phase of a two-part initiative.

The initiative is designed to enhance Nigeria’s civil service by leveraging globally renowned Singapore Public Service model, in line with 21st-century expectations.

NAN

By Mohammed Baba Busu

President Bola Tinubu says he is committed to bolstering horse racing in Nigeria for the nation to be at par with her contemporaries globally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu gave the commitment at the finals of the ‘2025 International Renewed Hope Horse Racing Competition’ held at Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar 111, International Race Course, Bida, Niger on Saturday.

NAN also reports that the international Horse Racing Tournament tagged: Sahel Savannah Stakes Series Bida 2025 was organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HFN).

Tinubu was represented by the Chairman, National Sport Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko.

The president vowed to liaise with all the critical stakeholders in horse racing to take the sports to greater heights.

Tinubu further said that the Federal Government would do the needful to improve horse racing and other sporting activities in the the country.

“We will support all initiatives in this direction as as part of my Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Horse racing will generate more employment and and it’s the number one unifier and peace builder in Nigerian.

“We will bring renewed hope to the doorstep of every Nigerian and I am keen to making all sports thrive in Nigeria,” the president promised.

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Life President of the federation, said it was founded in 2019 with the aim of creating a national platform to regulate horse racing activities across the country.

According to the Etsu Nupe, the federation was dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity by bringing from various regions through a shared passion for equestrian activities.

The Etsu Nupe noted that efforts will be intensified to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports

According to Abubakar, this has become necessary to prevent culture and traditions from going into extinction.

“The race, which is traditional in nature, further provided an opportunity for the display of culture and various cultural activities” the royal father said.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, Sarkin Dawaki Nupe extolled Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to boosting horse racing in Nigeria.

According to him, the president has consistently recognised horse racing as part of efforts to ramp up the unity and socioeconomic prosperity of the nation.

While acknowledging the successes of the tournament, Mustapha-Bida also commended the Etsu Nupe for sustaining the event for 12 consecutive years.

Mustapha-Bida, who is also the Chairman, New Niger Development Projects stated that no fewer than 500 participants featured in the epochal event from across the Sahel Savannah countries.

The national coordinator explained that Nigerian was taking a lead in the horse racing in the comity of nations in Africa, adding: “we are happy to be part of history and to have pushed to ensure that this has become a reality.

“We have five countries that participated in the event. They are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

“TTheyare our international partners during racing events in Nigeria.”

NAN further reports that Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed Horse’ has maintained her winning streak to clinch the first position as the fastest horse for the fourth time.

NAN also reports that six Toyota vehicles and N50, 000 were presented to the first position winners of various categories of race.

Also, the second position winners got N700, 000 each while the third and fourth position winners received N500,000 and N350,000, respectively.

NAN

By Flowerbud News

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has urged the newly-posted corps members to the state to use their service year to foster national unity and true patriotism among themselves and residents of the state.

By Flowerbud News

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says his administration’s service delivery to the people of the state is receiving positive rating from the opposition parties.

Adeleke said this while receiving letter of notification of award as the Governor of the Year from the management of Leadership Group, publisher of Leadership Newspapers, on Thursday in Osogbo.

The governor, while noting that it may be true that he had delivered a four-year task in two years, said that he would be propelled to do more because the state had been left behind on many fronts.

“The consensus from those reviewing our performance and service delivery is that we are true agents of good governance.

“When recently some opposition figures confessed to our positive ratings, I still believe we have a lot of grounds to cover.

“The state is constantly getting recognitions for what outsiders and even opposition members regarded as our commendable performance.

“In all these positive ratings, my response has always been to task my team to double their efforts.

“In the face of overwhelming positive reviews and high approval ratings, I am compelled to drive my team harder.

“I am not allowing the praises to enter my head,” he said.

The governor maintained that since the inception of his administration, he has reduced infrastructure deficit by over 40 per cent in the state.

Adeleke, who commended the management of Leadership Group for the nomination, said that the yardstick the organisation used in recognising him was in line with the similar reasons used by others.

“In the last one year, our government has been conferred with several awards across all sectors.

“Aside from reputable newspapers like the Leadership stable, we have received accolades from several federal agencies and non-governmental bodies,” he said.

Adeleke assured the public that his administration would not slow down in providing good governance to the people.

In his remarks, Mr Mike Okpere, Vice Chairman, Leadership Group, said the research team of the organisation did a thorough job before arriving at awarding the Best Governor of the Year to Adeleke.

Okpere said the achievements of the governor in all the sectors of the economy necessitated the award.

According to him, Adeleke, along with his Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Jigawa and Kano States counterparts will receive the award at the ceremony slated for April 8 in Abuja.

He said that the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, will also receive an award at the event.

Also, Mr Abraham Isaiah, Director, Leadership Group, said the excellent performance of the governor in regular payment of salaries, infrastructure development, health, agriculture education, among others earned him the award.

NAN