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Honoring A Legacy Of Excellence: Finance Ministry Bids Farewell To Permanent Secretary Mr Ekanem Udo
The Federal Ministry of Finance has celebrated the remarkable career and dedication of Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, as he bows out of the Federal Civil Service, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and commitment to Nigeria’s economic development.
In a heartfelt remarks at the reception held in Abuja in his honour, weekend, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun acknowledged Mr. Udo’s unparalleled contribution to the Ministry, saying: “Okokon’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic development is unparalleled. His expertise, guidance, and leadership have been invaluable to our Ministry. We salute his legacy and wish him a well-deserved rest.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Finance, praised Mr. Udo’s collaborative spirit and contributions to the Ministry’s successes stating, “Okokon has been an exceptional colleague, always willing to lend his expertise and support. His departure leaves a void, but his impact will be felt for years to come.”
A cross-section of Directors of the Ministry also shared heartfelt tributes to the retiring Permanent Secretary, highlighting his mentorship, wisdom, and selfless dedication to duty, “Okokon’s mentorship and wisdom have inspired a generation of public servants. His legacy will continue to inspire us – His selfless dedication to duty has earned him a special place in our hearts. We will miss his wise counsel,” they said.
In his response, Mr. Udo expressed deep gratitude for the kind words and sentiments. “I am honoured to have served this great nation and contributed to the development of our economy. I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I am confident that the Ministry will continue to thrive and excel in the years to come,” he said.
The Outgoing Permanent Secretary thanked everyone for their support, collaboration, and friendship throughout his career, saying, “I look forward to a happy and fulfilling retirement, and I’m also excited to explore new opportunities to serve the nation in different capacities. Thank you once again, and may God bless our nation,” he said
Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo, born on October 19, 1964, at Itak Ikot Obio Ise, Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s financial landscape. His commitment to excellence and public service will be deeply missed.
As Mr. Udo embarks on this new chapter, the Federal Ministry of Finance, wishes him a happy and fulfilling retirement, grateful for his tireless efforts and contributions to the nation’s economic growth and development.
“We celebrate not only his achievements but also the person he is – a true public servant, a leader, and a mentor. His legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us to achieve greater heights,” said the Ministry’s staff
News
PSIN Administrator Commends Yobe Government for Championing Leadership Continuity and Institutional Sustainability
Cyril Igele
The Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barrister Imeh Okon, has applauded the Yobe State Government for its strong commitment to leadership continuity and sustainable governance through strategic investment in human capital development.
Barrister Okon gave the commendation at the opening of a Management Retreat for Yobe State Permanent Secretaries, held at the PSIN headquarters in Abuja.
The retreat, themed “Succession Planning, Leadership Continuity, and Institutional Sustainability in the Yobe State Public Service,” convened senior bureaucrats and resource persons to discuss strategies for strengthening leadership and governance within the state’s civil service.
In her remarks, the PSIN Administrator praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his foresight and partnership in prioritizing public sector training and capacity development. She described the theme of the retreat as both “timely and visionary,” emphasizing that institutions endure only when leadership is continuous, knowledge is shared, and systems—not individuals—drive performance.
“Institutions thrive not merely on structures or policies, but on the deliberate cultivation of capable leaders who can sustain progress across generations,” she said. “By prioritizing leadership continuity and institutional resilience, Yobe State is leading by example.”
Barrister Okon reiterated PSIN’s mandate to build a competent, ethical, and innovative public service capable of delivering tangible results to citizens. She stressed that effective succession planning must be anchored in continuous training, mentorship, and exposure to emerging governance trends.
Citing best practices from Singapore and the United Kingdom, Okon noted that successful public service systems deliberately identify and nurture potential leaders through structured talent pipelines and transparent career development programmes. According to her, Yobe State’s initiative reflects its readiness to sustain excellence in governance.
She also highlighted PSIN’s flagship programmes—SMART-P, which builds administrative and technical capacity; LEAD-P, designed to groom emerging leaders; and the Exit from Service Masterclass, which prepares officers for life after service. Okon urged the Yobe Government to adopt the Exit Masterclass into its human resource framework to ensure a smooth transition for retirees, preserve institutional knowledge, and promote productivity through entrepreneurship and consultancy.
“Succession planning is not an event but a culture that must be institutionalised at every level of public administration,” she added. “When we prepare successors in advance and invest in continuous learning, we guarantee the sustainability of reforms and consistency in governance.”
Declaring the retreat open, the Acting Head of Service of Yobe State, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, reaffirmed Governor Buni’s commitment to building a results-driven and high-performing public service.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service, Alhaji Shehu, the Acting Head of Service expressed gratitude to God and lauded PSIN as the “mother institution of public service learning.” He stated that Governor Buni has consistently directed the Office of the Head of Service to promote seamless succession planning and capacity building to enhance efficiency and accountability across government institutions.
“In line with this directive, we have brought the top echelon of the state civil service to PSIN—being the drivers and core implementers of government policies and programmes—to strengthen continuity and sustainability in our reforms,” he said.
He urged participants to fully engage in the retreat, share experiences, and cascade the knowledge gained to officers across ministries, departments, and agencies. The exercise, he explained, forms part of a deliberate strategy to institutionalize effective succession planning within the Yobe State Civil Service, thereby ensuring sustained productivity and improved service delivery to citizens.
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