Thanksgiving And The Goals Of Civil Service

It is commonly said that the things that make for increase may look inconsequential, but yield great results. They may look small, but are potentially capable of producing great outcome beyond the imaginations of many.
Such is the case with the adoption of thanksgiving as a strategy in promoting professionalism in other sectors including the public sector by all civil servants. Few months ago, Rivers State Civil Servants joined their counterparts in other African countries to celebrate 2009 civil service week.
Although the practice of thanksgiving in churches by professional associations and groups in Nigeria as path of celebrations of their weeks might not be that new, but it is not certain if the external force behind such thanksgiving are fully recongnised. The importance of thanksgiving is to acknowledge what God has done before in order to get the present needs met.
As the Secretariat of Government, the civil service has been supporting the operations of government, since its creation 100 years ago as well as ensuring the stability of the society. As the engine room of government, people oriented policies and programmes with great impact have been crafted by men of proven integrity. Thus, today, the civil service in Rivers State could boast of great repository of technocrats of high repute that could serve at any platform anywhere in the world. We should indeed be proud of this and give thanks despite the imagined and real stains associated with the system.
Most importantly, as we seek greater partnership and collaborations for sustainable development and for improved service delivery in Africa, it is imperative that this next phase of the operations of the system is committed into the hands of God, the omnipotent who knows the end from the beginning.
There is no doubt that from the humble beginning in the colonial era to independence and later to the creation of Rivers State in 1967, civil service in Rivers State has grown in leaps and bounds? Of course, we may have momentary failures but it is also true that technocrats of international repute have been developed and have supported governance and the political class in the state.
It is therefore expected that as civil servants in Rives State join their colleagues around the African continent to celebrate the humble contributions of civil servants, the state government would see the need to improve welfare package for civil servants in the state. This is because such acts of devotion by civil servants should not be seen as a ritual, but as a potential force to bring about good governance and greater productivity in the system.
In other words, thanksgiving is a basic ingredient in ensuring good governance, as the system strives for the attainment of principles of good governance, which include performing effectively in clearly defined function and sales; promoting values for the whole organisation and demonstrating good governance behavior; taking informed transparent decisions and managing risk; developing the capacity and capability of the government officials to be effective; focusing on the organisational purpose for the welfare of the citizenry and service users, as well as engaging stakeholders and making accountability real.
A close look at the above six principles would reveal that they center on human behavior and attitude in relationship to others and to their work. And thanksgiving not only refreshes and positions ones mind, but also receives divine ideas for better performances.
It is on record that corporate professionals and individuals who have employed the strategy of thanksgiving have always come out greater and better. It is against this background that one salute the wisdom and courage of the organising committee of 2009 civil service week celebration over the decision to commence the celebration with a church thanksgiving. This is indeed a welcome development. We only hope that the fruits of thanksgiving will drop on the table of every civil servant in the state.
Viva Africa, viva civil servants.
Kaldick-Jamabo is a civil servant in Rivers State.