IN PRAISE OF SUNDAY AKPAN

Besides the career fulfillment that comes with the position, permanent secretaries enjoy even in retirement, socio-political and economic influences. The praxis of a permanent secretary can be analyzed in terms of his/her activities as they bear on government policy directions. A permanent secretary’s worth can be gauged by the contributions they make to a variety of departmental policy initiatives and the conduct of government business. This implies that in addition to their absolute loyalty and neutrality which demand that the expression of their personal political views or ideological prejudices do not constitute so strong a commitment to one political party as to inhibit loyal and effective service to governments of divergent political persuasions within the policy environment of their operations, a permanent secretary should and must be proactive, dynamic and broad-minded.

To the extent that the civil service is an indispensable pivot in nation – building, persons to be elevated to the status of a permanent secretary should display impeccable character and sound intellect with a deep understanding of the practice of public bureaucracy. Nonetheless, the degree of attention a permanent secretary receives derives from the critical role assigned to his or her ministry and how effectively he functions to foster the achievement of those mandates, including his empathy for staff of the organization. In this realm, Mr Akpan Sunday Edet, permanent secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology has carved a niche for himself as a maker, sharer and taker of policies; all of which he has done dispassionately over the years at the Ministry of Mines and Steel and in his present Ministry of Science and Technology. Judging by the number of policies which Mr Akpan has advocated in bringing about a stable policy environment; or those for which he very easily connects with the minds of his principals to advance the practicability and general acceptance of their policy initiatives, it can arguably be said that he is a policy technician highly practiced in government. Mr Akpan, a man of immeasurable standard, is successfully deploying his ability, skill and experience in managing policy programmes in support of the minister in delivering on the science and technology-driven development programmes articulated by the government of the day.

The Science and Technology Ministry has a very tall mandate which among others include promoting significant scientific and technological research potential of Nigeria with a view to helping local industries move up the international value chain based on business activities, intensive knowledge and generating higher added value. These are laudable targets for a country that truly aspires to greatness but achieving them requires the exertion of centralists par excellence in the likes of Mr Akpan who has consistently shown remarkable zeal in implementing pragmatically political will through workable policy outcomes.

Musa Wada, Abuja

Musa Wada,

Abuja