Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that his administration would improve the capacity of the civil service to make it a fulcrum of development.

Jonathan spoke late Saturday at the 2012 Civil Service Dinner and Award Night at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He urged civil servants to continue to be on top of their jobs, noting that the success of any government depended on the service.

The President urged the civil servants not to deviate from the old tradition of excellence and commended the organisers for appreciating those who served diligently.

Jonathan challenged Nigerians to join hands in changing the country for the better by keying into his administration’s transformation agenda.

According to him “the President and the Vice President alone cannot transform the country.

The President said that in addressing the monster of corruption, “every Nigerian must build a reputation that is above board.”

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Sali, said the event which was part of the civil service week, was set aside to reward hard work and excellence.

The awards were given to both serving and retired civil servants who distinguished themselves in various fields.

The three-category awards included the Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career for retiring Head of Civil Service of the Federation and Permanent Secretaries.

The first category had six people, with the immediate past Head of Service, Prof Oladapo Afolabi leading the pack.

Other recipients in the first category were former Permanent Secretaries, Mrs Elizabeth Emuren, Prof. Simon Ogamdi, Mr Pius Major, Amb. Stephen Willoughby and Biodun Olorunfemi.

The second category with 11 recipients was the presidential merit award for serving officers who had distinguished themselves.

Beneficiaries included Mrs Mercy Daodu, a Director with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Alhaji Mustapha Suleiman, a Director at the State House.

Mr Sunday Omoigiade, Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Alhaji Sani Gidado, Director, Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development also benefited.

Others were Mrs D. L. Braide, Mr Osemeilu Ihenyen and Mr Peter Ewesor, all Deputy Directors with the Federal Ministries of Police Affairs, Works and Power respectively.

Two Confidential Secretaries in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mr Chukwu Inyima and Mr John Jang also received the presidential merit award.

Seven recipients received the HOCSF commendation letters in appreciation of their hard work and dedication to duty.

Afolabi, who responded on behalf of other recipients, thanked the organisers for selecting them for the award. (NAN)