By Prisca Sam-Duru 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, GCON, is  to deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) End-of-the-Year Dinner and Honours Award.

The event is scheduled to take place in Abuja on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja from 6 pm to 10 pm. 

Themed “Harnessing CORFEPS as a Wealth of Knowledge for Nation Building”, this year’s Annual Dinner is as it is customary, to be accompanied by a Keynote Address on major contemporary issues in governance and national development. 

According to a statement released by the CORFEPS Chairman, Planning Committee- Dr. Adaoha C. Okwuosa, OON: “this year marks a significant occasion as the CORFEPS National Executive has taken the decision to institute a CORFEPS Honours Award. 

“This special addition to the activities will kick-start with the honour and recognition of the Fathers and Founders of CORFEPS. These individuals are celebrated as the titans who provided support to the growth of the Federal Public Service as it is known today”.

The event will particularly recognise past and living legends of the Civil Service, including Allison A. Ayida, Izoma Philip Asiodu, Francesca Emanuel, Alh. I. M. Damcida, Asiwaju Tunji Olutola, and Alhaja Latifat Okunnu, among others. 

Dr Okwuosa stated: “This year, the Keynote Speaker will be the former Governor of Benue State who is now the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, GCON. The occasion will be chaired by the present Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Esther Didi Walson-Jack. Welcoming the guests will be the Host, M. Yayale Ahmed CFR, an eminent bureaucrat, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and former Minister of Defence. 

Also expected to be present is Engr. Ebele O. Okeke CFR, the First Female Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Guests at the occasion will include members of the Federal Executive Council, Heads of Public Service Parastatals and Agencies, Captains of Industry, Retired and Serving Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and some Development Partners.”

“CORFEPS started in Lagos in 2004 as an Association and was eventually incorporated on 17th February 2012. It serves as a Body of Retired Civil Servants from the top echelon who are in a position to contribute to the nation, acting as a reservoir of public service experience and knowledge. The registration established its deliberative and advisory role. The Council’s motto is “Continuing Patriotic Service”, and its membership is restricted to persons who have attained the position of Federal Permanent Secretary or the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and have retired.

“In keeping with its Constitution, CORFEPS has steadfastly remained a non-profit, non-religious and non-political Council. Its key objectives include providing a forum for engaging in meaningful discourse on important and relevant issues of national development,” he explained.

According to Okwuosa, “The Council seeks to achieve its objectives through a structure of Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees, such as the Research Committee, the Advisory Committee, and the Standing Committee on Members Welfare, which report to the Monthly Ordinary General Meeting (OGM). A key strategy involves well-organized annual seminars and colloquiums on topical and contemporary issues, as well as the articulation of Memoranda and Advisories dispatched to the Executive or Legislative arms of government.

The CORFEPS End-of-Year Event is usually a dinner-only occasion for relaxed social interaction between CORFEPS families and stakeholders of CORFEPS from the Public Service and Private Sectors as well as the Diplomatic Sector. The dinner is usually accompanied by a Key-Note address on major contemporary issues in governance and national development.

This year, 2025, the CORFEPS National Executive has taken a decision to institute a CORFEPS Honours Award. This special addition to the CORFEPS activities is being kick-started with the due honour and recognition of Fathers and Founders of CORFEPS at this equally special venue of the State House, Aso Villa Conference Centre.