Ibrahim Gambari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief of staff, has told officers in the directorate cadre in the federal civil service to imitate the president’s leadership traits.

Mr Gambari spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day workshop on ‘Code of Ethics and a Practical Guide on how to Complete an Asset Declaration Form’.

He lauded his principal’s leadership style and consistency in fighting corruption and insecurity.

“I am emphasising this because of his consistency in the diagnosis of the biggest problems drawing us back as a nation and preventing us from realising our true potential,” Mr Gambari explained. “Those challenges are addressing the insecurity of our nation, growing the economy, and the anti-corruption fight.”

He added that the reason “I am going into these details is to show you leadership by example, and now that you are directors, you will play a very pivotal role in the Public Service of this country.”

Mr Gambari said Mr Buhari’s decision to contest the 2015 presidential election was to correct the ills in public service observed during his dictatorship between 1984 and 1985.

“With that antecedent, he decided he would return to democratic rule and run for president of this country because of his passion for addressing some of the root causes of our problem as a nation,” the president’s chief of staff added.

He explained that Mr Buhari’s commitment to fighting corruption in both public and private sectors earned him recognition by former President Barack Obama and the title of ‘Anti-Corruption Champion in Africa’ by the African Union.

According to him, the officers’ commitment to transparency, equity, and integrity is pivotal to the public service.

Mr Gambari, therefore, urged them to use all they learn at the workshop to “help this administration, this president to really achieve one of the principal goals of his administration.”

(NAN)