News Investigators/ Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General (D-G), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has advised civil servants to develop business plans for life after retirement.
A statement issued by Ngozi Anyaelezu, Head, Public Relations, BPP, in Abuja on Tuesday, said Adedokun gave the advice at the 114th Anniversary Symposium of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU).
The symposium, with the theme, “Mitigating the Impact of Security Challenges on the Working Class” focused on the resilience and safety of Nigerian workers amid economic and security challenges.
The D-G, in his address as the keynote speaker, said civil servants should prepare early for retirement by acquiring relevant skills and developing sustainable business plans.
Mr Adedokun described the NCSU, founded in 1912, as an institution whose history was inseparable from the evolution of Nigeria.
He congratulated the union on its 114th anniversary and commended its contributions to workers’ welfare, dignity and professionalism.
The BPP boss said the Nigerian Civil Service remained central to the implementation of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“No reform succeeds without capable public servants. No policy delivers meaningful impact without effective implementation.
“The civil service, therefore, remains one of the most critical vehicles through which the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda will be translated into tangible outcomes for citizens,” he said.
Mr Adedokun urged public servants to uphold integrity, professionalism, accountability and patriotism while embracing innovation in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He also called on stakeholders to support procurement reforms aimed at creating jobs, empowering businesses, supporting farmers, strengthening local industries and promoting inclusion.
“Public procurement is no longer a routine administrative activity. It has become a powerful enabler for economic growth, industrial development, job creation, social inclusion and institutional accountability.”
Mr Adedokun said procurement reforms under the current administration was repositioning public expenditure as a catalyst for national prosperity, anchored on five transformative pillars.
He identified the Nigeria First Policy, Affirmative Procurement, National Guidelines for Food Procurement Reform, e-Procurement, professionalisation of the procurement cadre and continuous capacity building as key areas of the reforms.
He said the Nigeria First Policy was designed to promote local content and support Nigerian businesses by using government procurement to stimulate local production, expand industrial capacity, create employment and retain economic value.
The D-G said affirmative procurement would create opportunities for women-owned enterprises, youth-led businesses, persons with disabilities and community-based enterprises to access public contracts.
He said the National Guidelines for Food Procurement Reform would align government food purchases with local agricultural production and strengthen agricultural value chains.
According to him, the reform would also create reliable markets for farmers, promote agro-processing, generate rural employment and enhance food availability.
Mr Adedokun said the BPP was also modernising procurement processes through electronic procurement platforms to reduce human interface, minimise opportunities for corruption, accelerate processes and provide audit trails.
He described the transition from paper-based systems to digital platforms as a governance reform beyond technological innovation.
He said that the bureau was also strengthening professional standards, certification, career pathways and continuous learning to develop a skilled and ethical procurement workforce.
The BPP boss said the reforms would provide opportunities for retired civil servants to engage in businesses without undue difficulty.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCSU conferred its PRIDE Award on Adedokun in recognition of his commitment to national service.
The event was attended by labour leaders, senior government officials and public-sector stakeholders.
President Bola Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, at the symposium.
NAN