Automotive design council to strengthen ethics, discipline among workers

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The National Automotive Design and Development Council has pledged to sustain the promotion of ethical conduct among its personnel to strengthen discipline, integrity and accountability in the public service.

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The Director-General of the council, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, made the commitment at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the Code of Ethics and Conduct in Public Service held in Abuja on Thursday.

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The workshop was organised by the council’s Reform Coordination/SERVICOM Unit in collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms for NADDC staff.

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Osanipin, who was represented by the Director, Vehicle Electrification, NADDC, Mr Ayinde Abdullahi, described public office as a position of trust that must not be used for personal benefit.

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He said the quality and credibility of public institutions depended on the discipline and integrity of their personnel, adding that the council’s mandate required both technical competence and responsible conduct.

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In a statement issued by the NADDC and obtained by PUNCH Online, the DG said, “The public Service remains a critical instrument for the implementation of Governmental policies and programmes and the delivery of services to the citizens. As officers entrusted with public responsibilities, we are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and ensure that our actions and decisions are guided by the principles of integrity, transparency, impartiality, accountability and service to the public.

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“The importance of this sensitisation programme therefore cannot be overemphasised. The Code of Ethics and Conduct is not merely a set of rules and regulations; it provides an important framework for guiding our behaviour, decisions and interactions in the course of our duties. It reminds us that public office is a position of trust and responsibility, and must never be used for personal advantage.”

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The DG urged staff to apply the lessons from the workshop in their daily responsibilities, stressing that ethical conduct was not the sole responsibility of management.

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He said, “This sensitisation programme is therefore relevant because they provide an opportunity for us to refresh our understanding of the applicable rules and standards, examine our responsibilities as a public servant, and collectively strengthen our commitment to doing the right thing, even when it may not be the easiest thing to do.”

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Osanipin listed integrity and accountability, professionalism, impartiality and fairness, and avoidance of conflict of interest as principles that should guide the conduct of staff.

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He said, “We must remain honest, transparent and accountable in performance of our duties and in management of public resources.

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“We must discharge our responsibilities competently and diligently.

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“We must treat Colleagues, Stakeholders and members of the public fairly and without favour, discrimination or undue influence.

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“We must equally ensure that personal interests do not interfere with the objective performance of our official duties.”

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He added, “Ethical Conduct is not the responsibility of Management alone. It is a collective responsibility. Every officer, regardless of rank or designation, has a role to play in protecting the integrity and reputation of NADDC.”

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The DG said the council’s commitment to ethical conduct was necessary to achieve its mandate of developing and promoting a globally competitive automotive industry through a competent and reliable workforce.

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He appreciated the CCB and BPSR for their partnership and contribution to strengthening accountability in the public service.

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In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the CCB, Dr Abdullahi Bello, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mr Akinfolarin Feyisola, urged public servants to comply with the code of conduct to avoid sanctions.

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Bello commended the NADDC for organising the workshop and said the bureau would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to promote compliance with ethical standards.

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Also, the Director-General of the BPSR, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, in a paper presentation, identified ethics, accountability and professional conduct as essential to institutional excellence.

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He said the bureau had introduced reforms aimed at building a responsible, transparent and productive public service.

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The NADDC is responsible for developing and promoting Nigeria’s automotive industry. Its work includes supporting automotive manufacturing, local capacity development and industry competitiveness. The council’s ethical standards are intended to ensure that public resources and official responsibilities are handled responsibly.*

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