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By Stella Odueme
The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) has honoured outstanding staff members at its 2026 Ministerial Awards for their dedication, commitment and exemplary performance.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Ministry’s premises, according to a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Julie Osagie-Jacobs, featured awards in four categories: the Honourable Minister’s Heroic Award, Permanent Secretary’s Exemplary Conduct Award, Departmental Excellence Award and Sports Achievement Award.
The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, in her opening remarks, said the awards provided an opportunity to recognise officers who had distinguished themselves through innovation, performance, leadership, commitment to duty, courage, inclusiveness and exemplary service.
She said the awards reflected the Ministry’s conviction that diligence, integrity and excellence in the performance of official duties deserved recognition and commendation.
Uzoka-Anite urged the recipients to see the honours not only as rewards for their achievements but also as a renewed responsibility to sustain their performance and continue to uphold high standards.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Deborah Odoh, said staff welfare was one of the pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) 2021–2025, which seeks to transform the public service into a productive, world-class and digitalised institution.
She said the recognition of deserving personnel was therefore important in encouraging dedication and improved performance within the service.
The Director of Human Resource Management, Dr. Esther Olatunji, said the awardees emerged after a painstaking selection process conducted by the Ministerial Awards Committee.
According to her, the committee was guided by fairness, transparency, objectivity, consistency and merit, while assessing criteria including patriotic commitment, productivity, integrity, efficiency, dedication, adherence to core values, creativity and innovation, punctuality and regularity.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Mr. Nwaeze expressed appreciation to the management of the Ministry and his colleagues for their support and cordial working relationships.
He said the recognition would not have been possible without the collective efforts and cooperation of colleagues within the Ministry