Nigeria’s progress depends on civil servants resisting political pressure – Faleke

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke. Photo: X/James Faleke.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, James Faleke, has said Nigeria’s quest for rapid development depends largely on the willingness of civil servants to uphold integrity and due process, even in the face of pressure from political office holders. Faleke spoke in Abuja on Sunday evening on the sidelines of the launch of a book titled “The Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers,” written by the retiring Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Oscar Okoro, to mark his 60th birthday and retirement from service. The lawmaker said civil servants remain the backbone of governance and play a critical role in ensuring that government policies and programmes are implemented in line with established rules and procedures. “The civil service mainly builds the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we politicians rely on,” Faleke said. “And if the civil servant decides to get this done properly, I think the country will be better off. Even when the politician says, let us do it the other way, and he says no, let us follow the rules, I think Nigeria will be better off.” According to him, dedication to national development requires a genuine commitment to the country’s success and institutions. “It is about dedication to the development of Nigeria. When you trust and believe in the country, you will want to see the success of the country,” he added. Faleke described Okoro as a dedicated, committed and hardworking public servant whose career should serve as an example to younger generations entering public service. “Okoro is a very hardworking guy. Unlike others, he is not money-conscious; he just wants to see things done accordingly and appreciably. For every time I push him hard, he works harder. I believe he is going to succeed very well in his retirement,” he said. Also speaking, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abubakar Saidu, said his relationship with Okoro had grown beyond official engagement into a family bond. He described the retiring clerk as a consummate professional whose conduct and work ethic offer valuable lessons for younger public servants. Related News Sokoto ADC gov candidate pledges civil service reforms, poverty reduction Reps recover N521m VAT from CBN Court voids N110bn N’Assembly vehicles, allowances vote “He is very dedicated, very patient. He is a professional, excellent and committed as well as exemplary when it