The retiring Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, ESV Zainab Obadaki, has cautioned against undue political interference in the Civil Service, saying adherence to due process, professionalism and established procedures remains critical to effective governance.
Obadaki gave the charge in her farewell remarks at the end of her career in the Kogi State Civil Service, where she stressed that while political leaders are responsible for policy direction, implementation should remain guided by professional competence and extant Public Service Rules.
She noted that the Civil Service remains the institutional memory of government, describing it as the engine that translates government policies into meaningful results irrespective of changes in political administrations.
According to her, the growing tendency to subject administrative processes to political influence poses a threat to institutional integrity and efficiency.
“When due process is sacrificed for expediency, institutions are weakened. Likewise, when the established hierarchy of the Service is ignored and responsibilities are assigned without regard to laid-down procedures, morale suffers, institutional discipline declines, and productivity is diminished,” she said.
The retired permanent secretary explained that the hierarchy within the Civil Service was designed to ensure accountability, mentorship, continuity and order rather than confer privilege on individuals.
She added that every civil servant should be confident that diligence, competence, integrity and faithful service would be rewarded through a transparent and merit-based system.
Obadaki appealed to political office holders, both present and future, to strengthen government institutions by respecting established procedures in appointments, promotions and assignments.
“Strong political leadership and a strong professional Civil Service are complementary pillars of good governance. My respectful appeal to our political leaders, present and future, is to continue strengthening—not circumventing—the institutions of government. Let due process prevail and allow professionalism and merit to flourish,” she stated.
She also urged serving civil servants to remain committed to the Public Service Rules, uphold integrity and discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour while remaining loyal to the government of the day.
“Our first allegiance must always be to the Constitution, the law and the institutions of the State,” she said.
Reflecting on her years in service, Obadaki expressed gratitude to God and appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the opportunity to serve the state in various capacities, culminating in her appointment as Permanent Secretary.
She also thanked the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, fellow permanent secretaries, directors, management and staff of the ministry for their support and cooperation throughout her career.
Obadaki said she was leaving the service without bitterness or regret, expressing optimism that future generations of public servants would inherit a system that rewards merit, respects experience, values integrity and remains firmly anchored on justice and due process.
She maintained that the greatest legacy of any public servant is not the office occupied but the institutions strengthened, the values upheld and the example left behind for others to emulate.
