The Rivers State Civil Service (RSCS) is to partner with Club 401 in the realization of its vision to bring about positive change in society and government. Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn stated this at a Dinner for top Civil Servants organised by Club 401, a non-governmental organization, in Port Harcourt.
Barr LongJohn, who expressed delight at the efforts of the organization in bringing about an ethical re-orientation in civil society and government at no cost to the participants, enjoined Civil Servants to take advantage of the programme and add value to the system by exhibiting positive work ethics in the discharge of their duties.
He enjoined them to be disciplined, devoted and committed to their duties and always examine themselves to know if they are on the right track while adopting a servant leader attitude as enunciated in a paper presented by one of the resource persons, Dr. Steve Ogan. In his paper titled, “Positioning the Civil Service for Effective Development”, Dr. Steve Ogan described the Civil Service as an indispensable instrument and a stabilizing influence in civil governance that distils, dissects, develops and implements government policies.
He expressed the desire of Club 401 to partner with the Civil Service for effective development. Dr. Ogan cited the Scriptures from the Books of 1 Kings 12:7 and Proverbs 6:6-8, and advocated a servant-leadership approach to work which involves service to the people, stressing that ‘knowledge of God, who is the author of governance is fundamental to doing the right thing’.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Directors of Club 401, Elder Gumba Ossarollor said the vision of the organization was to bring Christian conscience to bear on government and civil society in order to act as a catalyst to change in society. Others who spoke include Dr. O. Iragunima who said that Club 401 is ‘a child of necessity born at a time the Country was in turmoil., and Engr. Cyril Harry who presented a paper titled, “The Civil Service: Its Place in the Wellbeing of Nations”. The dinner was attended by Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the State Public Service.
