Ogun, Four Other States Receive CIPM Awards for Excellence in HR Professionalism

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) has honoured Ogun State and four others with Awards of Excellence for their outstanding contributions to human resources (HR) development and professionalisation in the civil and public service. The awards were presented at a dinner in Abuja, held in honour of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Heads of Service from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The recipient states include Ogun, Lagos, and Osun (Southwest), Abia (Southeast), and Akwa Ibom (South-South). The event took place at Fraser Suites, Abuja.

Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, National President of CIPM, stated that the awards were given to the top-performing states for their remarkable achievements in promoting CIPM membership among HR professionals and fostering a culture of professional HR management. He emphasised that these states have significantly contributed to enhancing best practices and excellence in the civil and public service.

Gobir commended the awardees for their efforts and encouraged them to sustain their commitment to advancing the service sector.

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, attributed the recognition to the state’s deliberate efforts in promoting professionalism, discipline, and ethical values within the civil service. He dedicated the award to the hardworking civil servants of Ogun State, whose dedication has driven progress in governance.

Onasanya expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his support in repositioning the state’s civil service, emphasising the importance of capacity building and professional development. He highlighted the recent training program for Permanent Secretaries and top officials conducted by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at the Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Institute of Governance Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, as a testament to the state’s commitment to excellence.

Onasanya also praised the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for her visionary leadership in transforming the federal civil service and supporting state-level reforms. He noted that her emphasis on collaboration and innovation has driven sustainable improvements across the country.

Additionally, he described the recent study tour of Singapore’s civil service by Nigerian Heads of Service, including himself, as a strategic initiative that will inspire further innovations in Nigeria’s public sector.

Onasanya described the recognition as a source of pride for Ogun State, attributing the success to Governor Abiodun’s unwavering support for a professional and efficient civil service. He also acknowledged the Ogun State branch of CIPM for its partnership in advancing HR professionalism.

In her remarks, Mrs. Walson-Jack thanked the organisers for the honour and urged all Heads of Service to maintain high standards of professionalism in their respective states. She emphasised the importance of continuous improvement in service delivery for national development.

The event celebrated the strides made in Nigeria’s civil service while reinforcing the need for sustained excellence and innovation in public administration.