In line with acknowledging and honouring dedication to service, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has recognised and awarded some outstanding staffers from different departments for their exceptional performances, hard work and commitment to effective service delivery.
The colourful award ceremony which was presided by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, took place at the ministry headquarters in Abuja and had the Directors and Heads of Departments of the ministry, as well as members of staff, in attendance.
In his remarks, Belgore explained that the purpose of the award ceremony was to strengthen service delivery, adding that staff qualities were among the parameters for selection in addition to performances.
He refered to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Award given to one of the ministry’s staff, and encouraged other staff to work towards receiving more of such recognitions that would put the ministry on the limelight.
Belgore informed that the Civil Service award is an innovation which is part of staff welfare, recognising hard working staff in delivering the mandate of the ministry to make housing affordable for Nigerians and reduce housing deficit in the country.
He said: “You all in your own little space can make a difference, never minding what another person is doing.”
He explained that the ministry’s monthly award for best staff from each department, would culminate in an annual award.
“We are going to have awardees every month and at the end of the year, we would aggregate all awards and bring one person as the overall best staff in the ministry, as well as overall best staff at the departmental level,” he said.
While commending the Director of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department for excellent works, he announced that the ministry would also institute best department awards, as well as the best director, with handsome rewards attached.
The Permanent Secretary further informed that aside the staff recognition award, staff members can also win an innovation award by bringing new ways and ideas to drive the system forward.
He said: “The rewards for this are just as big in the overall civil service consideration as that of recognition of staff performance, you can win a house, a car and plenty of money, I want to go and celebrate my staff there.”
Belgore thanked the awardees for what they do for the ministry and Nigeria at large, especially at a time that the country is going through rough times, adding that the awardees would be given training priority, capturing them in the first batch upon commencement when funds are available.
Earlier in her remarks, the Head of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Ibifuro Philips-Ogoniba, reiterated that the monthly staff recognition is a reminder that hard work and commitment are not just good habits, but are building blocks of effective service delivery.
While noting that meaningful reforms starts with personal discipline, professionalism and commitment to support others, she stated that each awardee has shown a clear commitment to value which directly improves the ministry’s function.
She congratulated the awardees, commending them for setting a standard and dedication to both their departments and ministry, further encouraging others to be inspired by the staff recognition, and strive for excellence in various departments and the nation at large.
Philips-Ogoniba also emphasised that the innovative idea for Staff of the Month predates the Service Wide Award which has been expanded into four categories namely: staff of the month, mentorship, best dressed and most punctual.
She informed that the award ceremony is in line with the OHCSF directive, through which awards will be rerouted henceforth and domiciled at the Ministerial Award Selection Committee (MASCO) chaired by Director of Human Resources Management department.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Ibrahim Kogbe, who was the winner of the EPIC award for the 2025 International Civil Service Day, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the ministry for recognizing their efforts through the Staff of the Month award celebration.
He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for his leadership, support and encouragement, and thanked the management for creating a culture that celebrates excellence.
Kogbe further affirmed the commitment of the awardees to keep giving their best to service.
“This recognition is not just an award; it is a strong motivation for us to keep giving our best to the service of our nation,” he said.
