Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has described public service as a fundamental service to the nation, saying its true measure lies not merely in the number of years spent in office.
Mr Fagbemi stated this on Saturday in Abuja at a send-off and appreciation ceremony, organised by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, to honour its former directors-general and retired directors.
The minister, who was represented by Mr Patrick Oyor, Director of Legal Drafting in the Ministry of Justice, said public service should be measured by the institutions strengthened and the policies advanced.
He added that the development of effective systems, mentoring of people and creation of enduring legacies were also important measures of public service.
Fagbemi said the occasion provided the commission and the ministry with an important opportunity to formally acknowledge and appreciate the honourees for their years of leadership, commitment and invaluable service to the nation.
He said the years of dedicated service rendered by the former directors-general and retired directors contributed significantly to the growth of the commission.
He added that their contributions also played important roles in the development of copyright administration in Nigeria.
According to him, the NCC exists today as a product of the collective efforts of successive leaderships and generations of dedicated officers.
He warmly congratulated all the honourees on the recognition, describing the honour as well deserved.
Fagbemi said the distinguished former directors-general and retired directors occupied important places in the institutional history of the commission.
He noted that the honourees served at different stages in the evolution of Nigeria’s copyright system and contributed in various ways to its development.
According to him, their contributions helped strengthen copyright administration and enforcement across the country.
He added that they also contributed to stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity and Nigeria’s participation in the international copyright system.
Fagbemi said it was imperative to recognise that the work of building a public institution was not always immediately visible.
He explained that policies often required time to mature, while institutional systems evolved gradually and reforms frequently built on foundations laid many years earlier.
The minister observed that those who planted the seeds of institutional development might not always be present when the benefits were eventually realised.
He, however, stressed that their contributions remained indispensable to the success of the institution.
Fagbemi said it was therefore fitting for the commission to pause and acknowledge those whose labour had helped bring it to its present position.
He described the ceremony as much more than a formal send-off, saying it was also a celebration of service, institutional memory, leadership and continuity.
According to him, the event reminded stakeholders that strong public institutions were built over time through the contributions of different generations.
