Almost across the globe, depending broadly on the nomenclature of usage, the position of a permanent secretary represents the zenith of the civil service bureaucracy. Beside the career fulfillment and a sense of financial security that sit with the attainment of the position, especially in the Nigerian context as viewed from the angle of the “big pay” permanent secretaries enjoy even in retirement, the position comes with fierce contest including socio-political, and even economic influences, the praxis of a permanent secretary can be analysed 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 demands that the expression of their personal political views or ideological prejudice does 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 nature of the 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 organisation.
In this realm, Mr Akpan Sunday Edet, Permanent Secretary, Federal 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 Federal 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 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, includes 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.
In addition, the ministry is tasked with devising ways and means to accelerate the transition to a knowledge based economy and rapid economic growth through science and technology, a goal created to help build mutually beneficial collaboration between scientific and industrial circles towards increasing local industries share of high-tech exports and to provide opportunity for people to benefit from their knowledge and handicrafts. 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 Sunday Edet who has consistently shown remarkable zeal in implementing pragmatically political will through workable policy outcomes. It is not surprising then that Akpan has been the epicenter of media pressures not withstanding that such has, however, not swayed him away from his focus of ensuring that Nigerians benefits or can benefit from access to strong science, technology, and medical capabilities as envisioned by the Minister of Science and Technology in his efforts to contribute to the ERGP of government, considering the calm and collected manner with which he has always approached his work. Akpan is energetic, forthright and very passionate about Nigeria Africa investing in its young people to drive change in the country with the ultimate goal to support government in its resolve to remove poverty and hunger from the country.
To Akpan, Nigerian universities would be at the forefront of the change process, working towards rural transformation driven by a new generation of development oriented scholars, committed to working with scientific knowledge and research. I recall with enthusiasm during a courtesy call on him by some group of students and in his remarks, he had confidently told the student that, “It may take time but we will get there; we are not second class people”. One striking aspect of Mr Akpan’s personality is his drive, his passion and vision for the development of the youth and his firm belief that the science and technology driven development roadmap as conceptualised by the present government can, if strategically, implemented serve as a basis for the much needed economic regeneration in the country, and beyond because the works of science and technology affect people’s daily lives. He holds the belief that if every other level of government as well as individuals commit to the science, technology and innovation programme, Nigeria would certainly be great.
Mindsets of the likes of Mr Akpan Edet are practically what we need to realise the Nigerian dream! More grease to the elbows, Super Permanent Secretary
Wada writes from Abuja via 08035937424
Abuja
