By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening public sector governance by deepening collaboration with the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS), describing the body as a vital custodian of institutional memory and an indispensable partner in national development.
In an official statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Annual Dinner and Awards Night of CORFEPS, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Senator Akume described CORFEPS as an invaluable national asset whose collective experience remains central to improving policy formulation, enhancing governance continuity, and deepening ongoing public sector reforms. He noted that the event’s theme, “Harnessing the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries as a Wealth of Institutional Memory for Nation Building,” was both timely and strategic, especially as Nigeria continues to grapple with the effects of policy inconsistencies and implementation challenges.
“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 said.
Senator Akume further highlighted the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to draw on the wisdom of elder statesmen, including the appointment of several CORFEPS members to strategic national positions across agencies and commissions. He assured the Council that his office would continue to collaborate closely with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to advance key proposals and strengthen the partnership.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of CORFEPS, Yayale Ahmed, CFR, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to patriotic service and the continuous nurturing of Nigeria’s administrative legacy. He described CORFEPS as a sanctuary of wisdom and a repository of decades of governance experience, stressing that retirement does not mark the end of service to the nation but rather a transition into a new phase of mentorship and national contribution.
The event underscored the Federal Government’s resolve to preserve institutional memory, promote effective governance continuity, and harness the insights of seasoned administrators in shaping Nigeria’s development trajectory.
