National Productivity Day: FG to honour distinguished Nigerians

In a bid to institutionalize productivity, consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organizations in Nigeria, the federal government has approved February 21, 2017 for the observance of the 16th edition of the National Productivity Day, NPD in Nigeria.

According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige,the NPD will be celebrated simultaneously in all the states of the federation.

A major component of the NPD is the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award.

The NPOM is an award of honour, excellence and dignity conferred on the most productivity individuals and organisations in Nigeria scheduled to take place at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

Ngige also revealed that after a thorough screening exercise by the National Productivity Order of Merit Award Committee, an independent board made up of eminent Nigerians from diverse backgrounds, fifteen (15) individuals and five (5) organisations drawn from all sectors of the economy were recommended for the conferment of the National award of this year’s NPD.

AWARDEES:
Speaking further, he noted that the awardees which will fall into three categories including, National Honours, National Merit Award and the National Productivity Order of Merit, NPOM, will be decorated by President Muhammadu Buhari himself in Abuja while that of the States will be done by the state governors.

He also said that an Award Lecture aptly titled: ‘Productivity for sustainable Entrepreneurship and Employment’ will be delivered by an erudite speaker, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as part of the activities marking the day.

Furthermore, an exhibition of made in Nigeria goods by Manufacturers, Small and Medium Scale Industrialist, past and present Award winners are expected to be mounted at the venue of the ceremony.

While noting government’s consciousness of the critical place of productivity in the realization of the ‘Change Agenda’, he opined that no nation can be self-reliant and competitive in the international market without productivity improvement in all sectors of the economy.

“The observance of National Productivity Day, NPD, and the conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit, NPOM is one positive step by government to stimulate the psyche of Nigerians towards redirecting their efforts to the growth and development of our country.

“At both the individual and organisational levels, the NPOM is a thoughtful incentive scheme designed to positively affect productivity. The Award has indeed been creating the desired awareness and competitive spirit among government officials at the Federal, State and Local government levels and the Private sector who constantly strive to improve their productivity and be list for recognition and the conferment of award.” Said Ngige

Daily Times reports that since the inception of NPD, 303 individuals and 73 organisations have benefitted from the NPOM award.