Maimota Sounds Warning Bell on Punctuality, Discipline as Kano OHCS Staff Vow to Raise Productivity
HOS Opens Direct Dialogue With Staff, Says Office Must Lead by Example.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Northern Bureau Chief
September 12, 2026.
The Head of the Civil Service of Kano State, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, has sounded a strong warning against lateness, indiscipline and declining work ethics among civil servants, charging staff of the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS) to uphold the highest standards of punctuality, professionalism, dedication and productivity.
Maimota gave the charge when she convened a special general staff meeting involving Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Schedule Officers and other categories of personnel across the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
The meeting, described as the first gathering of its kind since her assumption of office, provided an opportunity for the Head of Service to engage directly with officers across different cadres and listen to their concerns, observations and suggestions.
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The interactive session also marked a significant departure from the traditional top-down approach to administration, as officers were given an opportunity to speak directly with the state’s chief civil service officer.
Addressing the gathering, Maimota reminded staff that the Office of the Head of Civil Service occupies a strategic and unique position within the machinery of government because of its responsibility for establishment matters, personnel administration and the interpretation and enforcement of extant rules guiding the state’s Civil Service.
She therefore stressed that officers working in the Office must not only understand the rules but must also demonstrate them through their daily conduct.
According to her, punctuality, discipline, professionalism and hard work should not be regarded merely as administrative requirements but as fundamental responsibilities attached to public service.
She urged staff to recognise that their attitude to work has a direct bearing on the effectiveness of government and the quality of services ultimately delivered to citizens.
The Head of Service emphasised that the Office cannot effectively enforce standards across Ministries, Departments and Agencies if its own personnel fail to observe the same standards.
She consequently challenged staff to make the OHCS a model of discipline, efficiency, accountability and professionalism for the entire Kano State Civil Service.
Maimota, however, acknowledged the positive disposition of the workforce, noting that she had observed a significant level of professional commitment, loyalty, consciousness of official timelines and determination to achieve excellence among staff since assuming office.
She encouraged the workers to sustain those qualities while paying greater attention to areas requiring improvement.
The Head of Service stressed that the success of the Civil Service ultimately depends on the quality, discipline, competence and commitment of its workforce.
Danguguwa Commends Direct Engagement,
Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Alhaji Abba Adamu Danguguwa, commended Maimota for creating an avenue for direct interaction between the Head of Service and staff across all cadres.
Danguguwa described the initiative as timely and valuable, saying it would enable officers to hear directly from the Head of Service and better understand the expectations of the leadership.
He urged staff to respond positively to the call for improved punctuality, discipline and productivity.
According to him, employment in the Office of the Head of Civil Service carries an additional responsibility because the Office provides the administrative framework for establishment matters and contributes significantly to maintaining the rules and standards governing the entire state Civil Service.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Human Resource and Service Improvement, Alhaji Sabi’u Shu’aibu Muhammad, described the meeting as a demonstration of Maimota’s inclusive leadership style.
He said the decision to bring together officers across different cadres and provide them with an opportunity to express their views demonstrated the importance the Head of Service attaches to consultation, dialogue and staff participation in improving the Civil Service.
He, however, cautioned officers against abusing the opportunity provided by the new leadership.
Sabi’u said while the management remained open to dialogue and was prepared to give officers opportunities to improve, deliberate violations of the extant Civil Service Rules would not be tolerated.
He stressed that appropriate disciplinary measures remained available against officers who persistently refused to comply with established rules and standards of conduct.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Human Resource, Hon. Akibu Isa Murtala, expressed satisfaction with his posting to the Office of the Head of Civil Service and pledged to work harmoniously with career officers and other members of staff.
He said he would contribute his quota towards strengthening the professionalism, dignity and integrity of the Office while supporting initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of the state Civil Service.
The meeting subsequently transformed into an open interactive session during which officers from various cadres took turns to express their views and appreciate the opportunity to engage directly with the Head of Service.
The staff welcomed the initiative, describing direct engagement with the leadership as an important avenue for improving communication, understanding and workplace relations.
They also pledged to respond to the Head of Service’s call by improving punctuality, discipline, commitment, professionalism and their overall attitude towards official responsibilities.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by the leadership and workforce of the Office of the Head of Civil Service to translate the issues discussed into measurable improvements in daily conduct and service delivery.
The emphasis on punctuality and discipline is coming at a time when public institutions across the country are under increasing pressure to deliver better services, improve efficiency and ensure that government resources are translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
The Head of Service’s message was therefore clear: the Office responsible for setting and enforcing standards across the Civil Service must first demonstrate those standards within its own walls.
By placing dialogue alongside discipline, the OHCS leadership is seeking to strike a balance between listening to workers and enforcing the rules necessary for an efficient and productive public service.
The challenge before the staff now is to turn the commitments made at the meeting into concrete changes in workplace behaviour.
For the Kano State Civil Service, the renewed emphasis is on a simple principle: punctuality, discipline, professionalism and hard work must become daily practices rather than mere words at official meetings.
Signed:
Abdulkarim Ibrahim A.
DPRS/Ag. DPE
Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 12 2026
