Vice‑President Senator Kashim Shettima has called on public servants across Nigeria to adopt the virtues of selflessness, excellence, discipline and consistency in their work.
Emphasising that sustained commitment to these values is essential for building enduring public institutions, officials said on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Shettima delivered the message at a colloquium in Abuja organised to mark the 50th birthday of Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.
The event brought together senior civil servants and government officials to celebrate Usman’s contributions to public service.
The Vice‑President said that “enduring legacies in public service are sustained by consistent dedication to excellence, resilience and hard work, regardless of the challenges of building enduring institutions.”
He stressed that intention must be coupled with a willingness to pay the price of service, a combination he said separates good intentions from impactful leadership.
Shettima also highlighted the symbolic importance of the celebration, describing Bala Usman’s career as reflective of a public servant who has strengthened institutions through quiet, purposeful effort and commitment to service rather than spectacle.
He said her professional journey offered a template for aspiring leaders ready to deliver with excellence and serve with courage.
“If we are to raise more generations of Nigerians ready to lead with purpose, to deliver with excellence, and to serve with courage, we must remember this truth: intention without the willingness to pay the price of service remains wishful thinking,” he stated.
Shettima noted that exemplary public service is characterised by discipline, consistency and strength of character, positioning these traits as core to Nigeria’s progress and the sustainability of governance reforms. His remarks align with broader government priorities on public sector performance and institutional integrity.
Officials at the event, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, also praised Bala Usman’s service and described her career as a model for public servants committed to national development.
Public service leaders are encouraged to integrate the principles of selfless service and excellence into training, performance evaluation and strategic planning to foster a culture of dedication, accountability and institutional strengthening across government agencies.
