FG lauds retired perm secs, seeks deeper collaboration to preserve institutional memory for national development

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance by deepening collaboration with the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) as a strategic reservoir of institutional memory for improved national development.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said this while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Annual Dinner and Awards Night of the Council held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The SGF described CORFEPS as an invaluable national asset whose collective experience remains central to enhancing policy formulation, continuity in governance, and effective public sector reforms.
He stated that the theme of the event, “Harnessing the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries as a Wealth of Institutional Memory for Nation Building,” is timely, as Nigeria continues to contend with the consequences of policy inconsistencies and implementation gaps.
“Nothing can replace experience. Members of CORFEPS are living repositories of institutional memory. The nation stands to benefit immensely from your insights, and the present administration remains open and committed to leveraging your expertise,” Akume said.
The SGF highlighted recent efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to integrate the wisdom of elder statesmen into governance, including the appointment of some CORFEPS members to key national positions across various agencies and commissions.
He also pledged that his office would continue to work closely with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to advance key proposals of the council.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of CORFEPS, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, emphasised that CORFEPS remains committed to continued patriotic service and nation-building.
He described the council as a sanctuary of wisdom and a custodian of administrative heritage, noting that retirement does not end service to the nation.
He said that the event which also witnessed the conferment of awards on 18 leaders of the CORFEPS, including the pioneer national executives and few others, who had departed showed the importance of the organisation and appreciation for dedication and contribution of the awardees to national development.
On her part, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dame Didi Esther Walson-Jack, represented by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr Faruk Yusuf Yabo, said that the event is a celebration of excellence, nation’s building and ensuring an enduring spirit of service that defines the CORFEPS as an organisation.
She said that the theme is a reminder of the extraordinary reservoir of wisdom, experience and institutional memory that CORFEPS represents.
She said, “Your contributions continue to shape and strengthen the federal public service, providing directions and stability for those entrusted with stewardship.”