By Nana Musa/ Hafsat Hassan
The Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) on Thursday honoured 79 retired staff members for their decades of dedicated service to Nigeria’s fiscal and economic development.
The retirees were celebrated at a reception organised by the ministry in Abuja for the 2025 and 2026 classes of retirees.
The event also featured the 2025 Ministerial Rewards and Recognition ceremony, where six retirees received special awards for their outstanding contributions.
The theme of the event was, “Celebrating Service, Recognising Excellence, Inspiring the Future”.
In his remarks, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, commended the retirees for their years of dedicated service to the country.
Oyedele described the occasion as a transition of distinguished colleagues from active public service into a new and equally important chapter of their lives.
He expressed gratitude to the retirees for their contributions to Nigeria’s fiscal and economic management over the years.
The minister said public institutions were built through decades of dedicated service by career officers who remained committed to their responsibilities.
According to him, effective public financial management could not be built within a single budget cycle.
He explained that it required consistent efforts by career officers who contributed their expertise and institutional knowledge over many years.
Oyedele said the retirees played crucial roles in reconciling government accounts and safeguarding treasury operations.
He added that they also contributed to maintaining the financial discipline required to support national development.
The minister noted that the retirees served the country through various economic cycles and periods of significant fiscal challenges.
He said their institutional memory remained an important foundation for the continued development of the ministry.
Oyedele stated that many of the reforms being implemented by the present administration were built on institutional discipline established over the years by dedicated career officers.
He listed some of the reforms as the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of statutory exchange rates and mobilisation of non-oil revenue.
The minister stressed that national prosperity was not accidental but resulted from sustained efforts by public servants, many of whom worked without seeking public recognition.
He described public service as a vocation that required integrity, patience and commitment, particularly during difficult periods of reform.
Oyedele said public servants were often required to make sacrifices that might not receive immediate public acknowledgement.
He maintained that the credibility of national institutions depended largely on the competence and professionalism of career officers, alongside effective political leadership.
The minister urged serving officers to uphold the standards established by the retirees and ensure that their legacy was carried forward.
He encouraged serving workers to regard retirees as continuing institutional resources whose experience could be deployed through mentorship and advisory services.
Oyedele said the contributions of the retirees would remain an important part of the ministry’s institutional history despite their exit from active service.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Raymond Omachi, described the ceremony as a moment of celebration, gratitude and institutional pride.
Omachi commended Oyedele’s leadership and commitment, saying his presence demonstrated respect for civil servants and his cordial relationship with ministry staff.
He said the ministry was delighted to honour officers who had dedicated decades of their lives to strengthening the institution.
The permanent secretary commended the retirees for their sacrifices, describing their years of service as a legacy of institutional wisdom and selfless commitment.
He said their contributions had played a significant role in shaping the ministry into what it was today.
Omachi assured the retirees that their sacrifices, including long working hours and the challenges associated with public service, would not be forgotten.
He also congratulated the staff members who received awards for excellence, describing their passion, integrity and commitment as worthy of recognition.
According to him, the award recipients represented the best traditions of public service and demonstrated that dedication and hard work would not go unnoticed.
Omachi said the theme of the ceremony reflected the ministry’s commitment to institutional development and continuity.
He explained that the occasion provided an opportunity to honour the past, celebrate present achievements and inspire a brighter future for the ministry.
He added that the ministry’s greatest asset remained its people, whose devotion, unity and shared commitment were essential to achieving government’s objectives.
The permanent secretary urged staff to remain committed to the Federal Government’s Renewed Agenda and continue contributing to effective economic governance and national development.
One of the retired directors, Mrs Christiana Ndidi, described her recognition after 29 years in the civil service as a testament to the value of selfless service to the nation.
Ndidi expressed happiness over the honour, saying she had received several recognitions during her career and was grateful that her contributions continued to be acknowledged.
She advised serving civil servants to remain focused and hardworking, stressing that genuine efforts in public service would eventually receive recognition.
Similarly, Mrs Lola Uket, a retired Director of Economic Research and Policy Management, said she served the country for 35 years.
Uket said her experience in the civil service taught her the importance of organisation, focus, patriotism and commitment to national development.
She urged serving civil servants, particularly young officers, to place the interests of the country above personal gain while continually improving their knowledge and professional skills.
“Patriotism is the key; let them be focused, patriotic and let them put in their best,” Uket said.
She advised civil servants to continue contributing their quota to society and helping to shape the country, stressing that public service should not be driven solely by the desire for financial gain.(NAN) (www.nannew.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab