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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Government has underscored the vital role of retired Permanent Secretaries in national governance, pledging deeper collaboration with the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) as a strategic approach to harness institutional memory for sustainable development.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, conveyed this message during his keynote address at the 2025 Annual Dinner and Awards Night of CORFEPS held on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Director, Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, describing CORFEPS as an invaluable national asset, Akume stressed the council’s collective experience as a cornerstone for effective policy formulation, governance continuity, and public sector reform. He said, “Nothing can replace experience. Members of CORFEPS are living repositories of institutional memory. The nation stands to benefit immensely from your insights, and the present administration remains open and committed to leveraging your expertise.”
The SGF noted that the theme of this year’s event, “Harnessing the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries as a Wealth of Institutional Memory for Nation Building,” captures the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s longstanding challenges with policy inconsistency and implementation gaps.
Highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to incorporating the wisdom of elder statesmen, he pointed to recent efforts to appoint CORFEPS members to influential positions across federal agencies and commissions, reinforcing a model of inclusive governance. He further pledged that the SGF’s office would continue collaborating closely with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to promote CORFEPS’s proposals for national progress.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of CORFEPS, Yayale Ahmed, reaffirmed the council’s dedication to patriotic service beyond retirement. He described CORFEPS as “a sanctuary of wisdom and a custodian of administrative heritage,” emphasizing that retirement marks a transition rather than an end to contributing to nation-building.
The event brought together prominent retired civil service leaders and government officials, highlighting the synergy between experience and fresh governance initiatives as Nigeria strives for effective public administration and sustainable development.
