The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, James Faleke, has said Nigeria’s quest for rapid development depends largely on the willingness of civil servants to uphold integrity and due process, even in the face of pressure from political office holders.
Faleke spoke in Abuja on Sunday evening on the sidelines of the launch of a book titled “The Nigerian Legislature: A Practical Guide for Lawmakers,” written by the retiring Clerk of the House Committee on Finance, Oscar Okoro, to mark his 60th birthday and retirement from service.
The lawmaker said civil servants remain the backbone of governance and play a critical role in ensuring that government policies and programmes are implemented in line with established rules and procedures.
“The civil service mainly builds the country. They are the technocrats. They are the people that we politicians rely on,” Faleke said.
“And if the civil servant decides to get this done properly, I think the country will be better off. Even when the politician says, let us do it the other way, and he says no, let us follow the rules, I think Nigeria will be better off.”
According to him, dedication to national development requires a genuine commitment to the country’s success and institutions.
“It is about dedication to the development of Nigeria. When you trust and believe in the country, you will want to see the success of the country,” he added.
Faleke described Okoro as a dedicated, committed and hardworking public servant whose career should serve as an example to younger generations entering public service.
“Okoro is a very hardworking guy. Unlike others, he is not money-conscious; he just wants to see things done accordingly and appreciably. For every time I push him hard, he works harder. I believe he is going to succeed very well in his retirement,” he said.
Also speaking, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abubakar Saidu, said his relationship with Okoro had grown beyond official engagement into a family bond.
He described the retiring clerk as a consummate professional whose conduct and work ethic offer valuable lessons for younger public servants.
“He is very dedicated, very patient. He is a professional, excellent and committed as well as exemplary when it comes to the job,” Saidu said.
The House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, also paid tribute to Okoro, describing him as a model public servant whose career embodied integrity, diligence and commitment to duty.
“My encouragement to people in service is that this is the kind of person to model and pattern their careers after, people who have integrity and diligence as their watchword,” Rotimi said.
He noted that although the National Assembly has institutional mechanisms for mentoring and leadership development, Okoro’s experience and expertise would be difficult to replace.
Responding, Okoro attributed his achievements in public service to God, hard work, patience and humility.
“Life itself is a very difficult and cautious journey. You have to know your onions, be hardworking, be patient, humble and respectful. If these are lacking, you are bound to fail either in the National Assembly or anywhere in life,” he said.
The retired clerk said he would return to legal practice and consultancy while devoting more time to mentoring young people and serving God.
Earlier, the reviewer of the book, Professor Kabir Danladi of the Department of Public Law, Ahmadu Bello University, described the publication as a reflection of the author’s dedication during his 27 years of service.
Danladi said the 335-page book provides a practical guide to the workings of Nigeria’s legislature, particularly the National Assembly, covering its constitutional foundations, internal structures, legislative procedures, oversight responsibilities and relationship with other arms of government.
According to him, the book is organised into nine chapters and offers both historical and practical insights into legislative practice, making it a valuable resource for lawmakers, political actors, students and citizens seeking a deeper understanding of parliamentary governance.
The event attracted lawmakers, legislative staff, academics and public servants who gathered to celebrate Okoro’s contributions to the National Assembly and public service.