Falaye urges public office holders to prioritise service

According to him, public office holders have a responsibility to ensure that policies and programmes translate into real benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups.

“Effective governance goes beyond the enactment of laws. It must be supported by institutions that are credible, consistent, and responsive to the needs of citizens,” he said.

Falaye stressed the need for a stronger focus on service delivery across government institutions, noting that citizens expect practical results from governance.

He urged agencies, including the NSITF, to treat social protection as a legal obligation rather than an act of charity, stressing that workers must be adequately protected within the framework of the law.

The NSITF boss warned that weak institutions, inadequate labour protection, and declining public trust could undermine national development if not addressed.

He also pointed to a disconnect between legal provisions and the realities faced by citizens, calling for deliberate efforts to bridge the gap.

“Our laws must work for workers, our institutions must serve citizens, and governance must prioritise the public good,” Falaye stated.

He further emphasised that building public confidence is essential, noting that trust in government institutions depends on transparency, competence, and consistency in service delivery.

Speaking on the mandate of the NSITF, Falaye explained that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme is designed to ensure that workers who suffer injury, disability, disease, or death in the course of duty receive adequate support.

“That responsibility is both legal and moral. It reflects the kind of society we must build—one where dignity of labour is upheld, and productivity is matched with protection,” he said.

Falaye also called for continuous reforms and improved processes to strengthen institutional performance and enhance public trust.

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He criticised the tendency to focus on economic growth without corresponding attention to workers’ welfare, stressing that social justice requires structured institutional responses.

“When workers are harmed in the course of service, social justice demands more than sympathy. It requires a lawful and institutional response,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Clever Owhor, highlighted the role of the legal profession in promoting accountability and strengthening institutions.

He identified delays in justice delivery, lack of transparency, and ethical concerns as challenges undermining public trust, and called for collective efforts to address them.

“Trust is not demanded; it is earned through consistent, visible, and measurable actions,” he said.