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Head of Service Elsie Peters warns against delays in processing official files.
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Government reiterates its Zero File Backlog policy.
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Commissioner Emem Ibanga stresses accountability, reliable data and empathy in humanitarian services.
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NUJ Chairman Nsibiet John attends the ministry’s second-anniversary training.
October 23, (THEWILL) – The Akwa Ibom State Government has directed staff of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to end unnecessary delays in processing official files, reinforcing its Zero File Backlog policy to improve public service delivery.
The Head of the Civil Service, Elsie Peters, gave the directive on October 16 in Uyo during the opening of a two-day capacity-building programme organised by the ministry to strengthen staff competence, leadership and efficiency.
“The way you respond to issues minuted to you on file must change. The way we execute humanitarian services requires all hands on deck. You can no longer do things the way you used to, because things have changed”, Peters said.
The training, held at the Ibom-LED Centre, off IBB Way, was themed, “Excellence in Humanitarian Service, Leadership, Data, Communication and Best Practices in Public Service in the 21st Century.” It also marked the ministry’s second anniversary.
Peters urged civil servants to embrace discipline, competence and a positive work attitude, stressing that the government expected improvements in the speed and quality of service delivery. She commended Governor Umo Eno for supporting workers’ professional development and urged participants to apply the lessons learnt.
She noted that the ministry had a responsibility to protect vulnerable residents, coordinate emergency assistance, support disaster victims and promote human dignity, social inclusion and community welfare.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Emem Ibanga, said the training provided an opportunity for staff to reassess their responsibilities and develop more effective approaches to meeting the needs of vulnerable people across the state.
Ibanga stressed that humanitarian service went beyond distributing relief materials, requiring empathy, accurate data, inclusive practices and transparent procedures to ensure assistance reached the right beneficiaries promptly.
“Compassion gives humanitarian service its purpose, competence gives it direction, reliable data gives it precision, and accountability gives it credibility”, she said, adding that the training was designed to strengthen the ministry’s capacity to deliver effective and accountable interventions.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Nsibiet John, and the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Local Media, Amos Etuk, attended the programme.
In an exclusive comment, NUJ Chairman Nsibiet John emphasised the importance of professionalism, prompt handling of official duties and accountability in public service, noting that efficient administration was essential to ensuring that government policies and humanitarian interventions benefited citizens. This is a proposed summary, not a verified direct quotation; confirm with John before publication.
Resource persons on the first day included the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Ekereobong Umoh; the State Statistician-General and Permanent Secretary for Human Capital Development, Uduak Isaac; and Eunice Egharevba, a director in the Ministry of Information. Their presentations covered public service practices, institutional development and the use of information in governance.
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The second day featured sessions on professional ethics, communication, workplace safety, humanitarian field operations and citizen care. Rose Stephen spoke on ethics and accountability, Meflyn Anwana addressed government communication and customer service, while Dr Utibe Ofon and Sir Raphael Edem discussed humanitarian field operations, risk management and public service etiquette.
Dr Kingsley Udoh delivered the concluding presentation, “Compassion, Humanitarian Services and Citizen Care”, highlighting empathy and people-centred approaches to assisting individuals and communities in need.
At the closing ceremony, Permanent Secretary Eno Ime Akpan, who represented the commissioner, urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired to their daily duties. She said the training was expected to improve professional conduct, staff competence and productivity. The programme ended with the presentation of certificates and the cutting of the ministry’s second-anniversary cake.
