Okoli honoured for public service contributions

Mrs. Anuli Okoli, a distinguished public servant with an illustrious career, has been conferred with the Fellowship Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Administration by the Institute of Corporate Administration.

The award, presented in recognition of her exceptional dedication, professionalism, and visionary leadership, elevates Mrs. Okoli to the status of a senior member of the Institute, entitling her to use the designation FCAI after her name.

The award was officially presented at the 2024 Third Quarter Administrative Professionals Conference, which took place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Zuma Conference Hall, Green Minds Hotels, Utako, Abuja.

The event, themed “Mastering the Art of Professionalism in the Public Service,” spotlighted Mrs. Okoli’s significant achievements and contributions to public administration.

Mrs. Okoli’s career trajectory is marked by notable accomplishments. After earning her West African Examination Certificate from Mary-Mount College in Agbor, Delta State, she went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Lagos. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration.

Her professional journey began briefly in the banking sector before joining the Police Service Commission (PSC) in 2003.

At the PSC, Mrs. Okoli has held several key positions, including Secretary of Standing Committees on Police Discipline, Strategic Development and Policy Formulation, Head of the Commission Council Secretariat, Director of Administration/Human Resource Management (Admin/HRM), and her current role as Director of Police Investigation.

During her tenure as Director of Admin/HRM, Mrs. Okoli made remarkable strides, including the introduction of the PSC Awards Ceremony/End of Year Party in 2022, despite financial constraints. Her innovative efforts in securing external funding for the event earned her commendations from Justice Clara B. Ogunbiyi, Rtd., and further recognition for her leadership in organising the event the following year.

Mrs. Okoli also spearheaded efforts to resolve a decade-long recruitment hiatus at the PSC, obtaining a waiver from the Office of the Head of Civil Service to recruit 50 new staff members.

Her meticulous execution of the recruitment process was commended by then-Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase. She also introduced a Personnel Tracking Questionnaire, which successfully eliminated ghost workers and optimised staff redeployment.

Mrs. Okoli’s unwavering integrity, discipline, and passion for public service continue to inspire her colleagues at the PSC, solidifying her reputation as a role model. She is happily married with children.

The award ceremony was the high point of the conference, where Mrs. Okoli’s dedication to public administration was celebrated alongside her many achievements.

Her citation, being among the only three that were publicly read at the event, underscores her massive contribution to management and administration in Nigeria.