Osanipin Reaffirms NADDC’s Commitment To Ethical Public Service

To further ensure quality, discipline and integrity among its personnel, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has reiterated its commitment to promoting the code of ethics among its staff.
The Director General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, made the commitment during a one-day sensitisation workshop on Code of Ethics and Conduct in the Public Service, organised by the Council’s Reform Coordination/SERVICOM Unit in collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) for NADDC staff in Abuja.

He described public office as a position of trust and responsibility, stressing that it must never be used for personal advantage.

Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, who was represented by the Director, Vehicle Electrification at NADDC, Mr Ayinde Abdullahi, noted that ethical conduct is not the responsibility of management alone but a collective one, hence the need for the sensitisation workshop.

While calling on participants to put into practice what they had learnt from the one-day workshop, the Director General reiterated the Council’s commitment to promoting a globally competitive automotive industry through a competent and reliable workforce.

“The public Service remains a critical instrument for the implementation of Governmental policies and programmes and the delivery of services to the citizens and as officers entrusted with public responsibilities, we are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical conducts and ensure that our actions and decisions are guided by the principles of integrity, transparency, impartiality, accountability and service to the public,” he said.

In his words, “The importance of this sensitization programme therefore cannot be overemphasized. The Code of Ethics and Conduct is not merely a set of rules and regulations; it provides an important framework for guiding our behaviour, decision and interactions in the course of our duties. It reminds us that public office is a position of trust and responsibility, and must never be used for personal advantage.”

According to him, the effectiveness and credibility of any public institution are ultimately determined by the quality, discipline and integrity of its personnel.
He said that at NADDC, the Council’s strategic mandate of developing and promoting a globally competitive automotive industry requires not only technical competence but also a strong culture of ethical conduct and responsible public service.

“This sensitization programme is therefore relevant because they provide an opportunity for us to refresh our understanding of the applicable rules and standards, examine our responsibilities as a public servant, and collectively strengthen our commitment to doing the right thing, even when it may not be the easiest thing to do and in this regard, I wish to emphasize some critical principles that should guide our daily conduct as an officers of the Council.”

Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin stressed the need for staff to remain honest, transparent and accountable in the performance of their duties and management of public resources, stating that they must also discharge their responsibilities competently and diligently.

“We must treat Colleagues, Stakeholders and members of the public fairly and without favour, discrimination or overdue influence.”and we must equally ensure that personal interests do not interfere with the objective performance of our official duties.

“Ethical Conduct is not the responsibility of Management alone. It is a collective responsibility. Every officer, regardless of rank or designation, has a role to play in protecting the integrity and reputation of NADDC.”

He expressed appreciation to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) for their partnership and willingness to share their knowledge, adding that their collaboration was a valuable contribution towards building a more ethical, accountable and effective Public Service.

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Bello, stressed the need for public servants to always adhere to the principles of the code of conduct to avoid sanctions.

Dr. Bello, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties at CCB, Mr Akinfolarin Feyisola, commended NADDC for the sensitisation workshop, adding that the CCB would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies towards ensuring adherence to the code of conduct in the nation’s public service.
In a paper presentation, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi, identified ethics, accountability and professional conduct as key to institutional excellence in the public service.

Dr. Arabi said the agency had put in place various reforms towards ensuring a responsible, transparent and productive public service in the country.