Ministries of Solid Minerals and Steel Development have celebrated the 2024 Customer Service Week in grand style with the theme, “Above and Beyond,” also honouring exceptional Staff for excellent service.
The event which was held at the Minister’s Conference room at the Ministry’s Headquaters in Abuja was disclosed in a press release issued by Chinwe Ekwugha.
Highlighting the Ministries dedication to exceptional service, the event honored twenty-three (23) outstanding Staff members for their remarkable contributions, recognizing those who have consistently gone the extra mile in delivering superior service and upholding the Ministries’ values.
In his keynote address at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Chris Isokpunwu reflected on the theme, “Above and Beyond,” describing it as a direct call to the essence of civil service.
He emphasized that every Civil Servant, regardless of their role, carries the responsibility of service, which goes beyond personal recognition.
He said: “To serve in the Civil Service is to commit to a purpose greater than ourselves. Our work is not for individual accolades, but for the collective progress of society. Each day, through dedication across departments, we build the trust that bridges the gap between government and the citizens.”
In acknowledging the awardees, the Permanent Secretary praised their efforts as a reflection of the highest ideals of public service.
He remarked: “Today, we celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, embodying the principles of integrity, dedication, and excellence. Their work is a testament to the spirit that drives the Ministries. Today’s event also reminds us that even when you believe no one is watching, someone is always taking note of your contributions, and recognition will eventually come.”
The Permanent Secretary portrayed the Civil Service as the backbone of national development, shaping policies and creating programs that touch the lives of millions of Nigerians.
He noted that Civil Servants play a critical part in shaping and executing programs that directly impact the lives of millions of Nigerians, and influencing sectors. Stressing the importance of dedication.
He urged the work force of the Ministries to embrace a spirit of selfless service, reminding them that their work goes beyond personal gain, as they were entrusted with the immense responsibility of strengthening the Ministries’ missions and advancing the nation’s progress and well-being.
He further highlighted the collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development and other sectors in contributing to national growth and economic stability.
Encouraging the Staff to draw inspiration from the award recipients, Dr Isokpunwu reminded everyone that true success lies in the impact being made on others.
He urged all Staff to remain steadfast in their commitment to public service and challenged others to strive towards similar recognition in the future.
To the awardees, he cautioned that their recognition should not mark the end of their journey, but rather a stepping stone to even greater achievements:
“To the awardees, let this be the beginning of a new challenge. Avoid the temptation of eye service—working hard only when someone is watching. Stay true to your values, and continue to excel, even when unnoticed,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary extended his gratitude to the Staff of the Reform and Service Improvement Department for their continued efforts in enhancing service delivery across the Ministries.
He noted that their role was not one of coercion, but of setting examples and achieving results through the demonstration of excellent service.
In his contribution, the Director of SERVICOM, Mr Victor Ewache highlighted the significance of the annual Customer Service Week, emphasizing that it was a dedicated period in October to celebrate outstanding service delivery.
He noted that the theme, “Above and Beyond,” perfectly captures the spirit of the event, encouraging Civil Servants to continue striving for excellence in their service to the public.
Addressing the awardees, he urged them to reflect on the spirit behind the recognition, encouraging them to ask themselves why they were selected among their peers within the various departments.
He stressed: “The celebration should not be belittled. This award is a testament to your hard work, integrity, and commitment to service. Let it inspire you to reach even greater heights.”
The Director expressed his deep appreciation to the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries, the National Coordinator and CEO of SERVICOM, and the Directors of the Ministries who graced the occasion with their presence and support.
He commended their leadership and contributions towards enhancing service delivery across the Ministries.
Their roles, he noted, have been pivotal in creating an environment that fosters dedication, innovation, and professionalism among the Staff.
He also extended his gratitude to the workforce of the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development for their unwavering commitment to delivering on the Ministries’ mandates.
Their hard work and diligence, he remarked, have played a crucial role in building trust between the government and citizens, as well as contributing to national growth.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator and CEO of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, emphasized on the critical role of customer service in fostering citizen-focused service delivery within the Ministries.
She underscored the importance of celebrating frontline Staff, who serve and support customers daily, citing their essential contributions to the Ministry’s success.
She remarked that the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing service delivery was evident in its dedication to honoring work during the Customer Service Week.
The National Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the Ministers, the Permanent Secretaries, and the entire Management team of the Ministry for organizing the 2024 Customer Service Week, noting that it represents a significant step toward sustaining a citizen-centered approach to service.
Akajemeli highlighted the importance of the week in boosting Staff morale, encouraging teamwork, and enhancing departmental collaboration to improve customer experiences.
She further elaborated on this year’s theme, “Above and Beyond,” and the qualities that represent outstanding customer service. These include empathy, responsiveness, attentiveness, integrity, flexibility, positivity, and proactivity—all qualities essential for excellent customer service and creating positive customer experiences.
The celebration of the 2024 Customer Service Week was creatively illustrated with a colorful logo incorporating the colors berry, goldenrod, azure, and midnight blue.
Akajemeli explained the significance of each color, with berry symbolizing creativity and wisdom, goldenrod representing new beginnings and happiness, azure evoking tranquility and responsibility, and midnight blue projecting power and authority.
“These colors remind us that customer service is not just a process but an art that requires innovation, confidence, and a commitment to excellence,” she said.
The 2024 Customer Service Week Celebration concluded with a heartfelt gratitude from the Spokesperson of the awardees, the DD, ICT, Mr Ikechukwu Okoro who expressed his deep appreciation on behalf of all the honorees.
In his remarks, Mr. Okoro expressed the collective delight of the awardees stating that the recognition they received was a significant milestone in their professional journeys.
He acknowledged that their hard work and dedication, which began years ago, had now borne fruit, bringing them to this moment of recognition.
He went on to express gratitude to the Ministry’s leadership, particularly the Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and the entire Ministries’ Staff, for creating an environment that fosters excellence and motivates staff to continually push the boundaries of service delivery.
He also extended appreciation to SERVICOM and all those involved in organizing the event.
Reassuring the Ministries of their continued dedication, DD, ICT, emphasized that the awards would serve as a source of motivation, urging the awardees to maintain the high standards expected of them.
He pledged on behalf of the recipients that they would remain steadfast in their commitment to service and would not falter in their responsibilities.
