HOUSING MINISTRY OBSERVES SERVICOM CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK, HONOURS DEPARTMENTS, STAFF FOR SERVICE DELIVERY

* Press and Public Relations Emerges Best Department in Service Delivery

* Minister calls on staff to embrace culture of service excellence and accountability 

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has observed the Servicom Customer Service Week for the year 2025, with the theme ‘MISSION POSSIBLE’.

Part of the activities of the Customer Service Week were honours given to various departments and staff of the ministry, with the Press and Public Relations Unit bagging the ‘Best position’ award, for their dedication and service delivery in achieving the mandate of the housing sector.

In his remarks, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, called on all staff and agencies under the Ministry to embrace a culture of service excellence and accountability in line with the theme for the 2025 Customer Service Week, ‘Mission: Possible’.

“This theme reminds us that excellence in public service is not a luxury; it is a duty, one that is entirely achievable when we commit to doing things right, every time”, he said.

The Minister commended the Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement for organizing the event, as well as the National SERVICOM Office for its partnership in promoting service delivery standards across government.

He also congratulated all award recipients for demonstrating professionalism, empathy, and integrity in their work.

“Awards and commendations matter because they signal our values, but they must go hand-in-hand with responsibility. Each awardee and indeed every public servant must carry the example forward”, he said.

Highlighting the mission of the Housing Ministry, which is to build safe, decent, and affordable homes for Nigerians, upgrade slums and make the cities livable, reform land administration and ease access to housing finance; among others, Arc. Dangiwa encouraged every officer and institution under the Ministry to embrace the “Mission: Possible” mindset.

“That means no more excuses and delays, let every desk in FMHUD and every counter in our agencies become a centre of Renewed Hope, where citizens leave with answers, not frustration”, he added.

Accordingly, the Minister urged each department and project office to make ‘Mission: Possible’ real by adopting and displaying the published Service Charters and timelines, responding to enquiries with speed, accuracy, and empathy.

He further urged them to record, track, and act on feedback, as well as convene quarterly review forums where management, staff, and citizens assess service metrics and propose improvements.

Dangiwa  expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary, for his consistent leadership and for driving the reform efforts of the Ministry with passion and purpose; as well as all the staff.

Similarly, he thanked agencies of the Ministry, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), for being strategic to the delivery of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for housing and urban development.

“Let the Renewed Hope brand be visible not only in projects and buildings, but also in our service culture in how we respond, how we communicate, and how we solve problems”, he charged.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, noted that the Customer Service Week was not just a celebration but a call to action and a moment to reflect on how citizens are engaged, how their needs are responded to, and how values of transparency, accountability, and excellence are upheld in public service.

“As we mark this week, let us recommit ourselves to the values that define great service: Commitment, responsiveness, and continuous improvement”, he said.

In her key note address, the Head of Operations, SERVICOM, The Presidency, Mrs Ngozi Akinbodewa, commended the Ministry for organizing the event, stressing that its objective is about raising awareness internally and externally on good customer service in building loyalty and satisfaction.

Mrs Akinbodewa further highlighted the importance of this year's theme: ‘MISSION POSSIBLE’, which according to her refers to "turning challenges into opportunities, enhancement of compliance, promotion of cross-disciplinary collaboration, etc."

She urged staff to imbibe the qualities of the theme by demonstrating determination, teamwork, and commitment.

Earlier, in her remarks, the Head of Reform and Service Improvement Department in the ministry, Mrs. Philips Ogoniba Ibifuro informed that the Customer Service Week gives an opportunity for the Management of the Ministry to recognize and encourage workers, staff and stakeholders for job well done while also providing opportunity to reflect, recognize and recommit through impacts.

She brought to the fore, the mission of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department to champion a culture of excellence, responsiveness and innovation across all facets of government service.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of a Visionary Leader award to the Honorable Minister, as well as an award for Institutional Reform, given to the Permanent Secretary.

The event also featured talks on safety rules and health.