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Service Improvement: HOS wants civil servants to embrace digital transformation
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has called on civil servants to embrace digital transformation innovation to compete with their counterparts in the world.
Yemi-Esan made the call on Thursday, in Abuja at the Award Ceremony of the 2022 Civil Service Innovation Competition, organised by her office in collaboration with the Galaxy Backbone Limited.
The event is meant to award the outstanding civil servants across public service sector.
The initiative is part of the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s public service through adoption of new technological knowledge to improve civil servants’ skills as well as reducing cost of governance in the country.
Speaking further, HOS explained that the future jobs as recorded by the world economy forum, which demand data analysts and scientists, software and application developers and social media specialists, information designers were sustained by the use of technology.
“The future jobs as recorded by the world economy forum says that the range of established roles in the global labour market which experienced rising demand include data analysts and scientists, software.
“And, application of developers and social media specialists, information designers among others are significantly based on the use of enhanced technology.
“This suggests that professionals who have the knowledge of technology and social sciences would be in high demand.”
She, therefore, used the occasion to appeal to civil servants to join in the quest for the transformation of global services in technology for improvement of the nation’s public service sector.
Earlier, Mr Faruk Yabo, Permanent Secretary-Special Duties Office, office of HOCSF, said the idea behind the initiative was centred on three thematic areas of securing a conducive working environment for civil servants.
Others he said included to identify new methods of promoting Public Private Partnership in service and also, to focus on the cost serving measures using modern technologies in public service delivery.
According to Yabo, recent time global events such as devastation caused by climate change, COVID-19 pandemic among other economic challenges has made it more urgent for government and particularly, the civil service to think outside the box and imbibe the culture of innovation.
He said the impact of today’s rapidly changing economic and technological landscape had made government’s task of delivering public service more complex.
“This is evident around the world, and Nigeria has not been spared from this challenge.”
Also, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, Managing Director Galaxy Backbone Limited, expressed delight over successes recorded by Nigeria in recent times owning to the use of innovation both in private and Public sectors.
Abubakar commended the efforts by the HOS to transform the public service through application of technology, saying it has significantly improved the performance of service across board.
He said Galaxy Backbone was excited to be part of the success journey, adding that innovation has always being the aspiration of the company.
The highlight of the event was the award of the three set of civil servants with the first group with the prize of three million naira, the second category went home with one million, seven hundred and fifty naira, while the third category was awarded with one million naira.
Others were awarded with the consolation prizes of two hundred thousand naira each.
Mr Iluromi Olusegun, a staff of Ministry of Education and one of the beneficiaries, thanked the HOS and the organisers for the gesture, saying it will encourage civil servants more to venture into innovation in the course of their services to the nation.
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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
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