And this is even all the more commendable as the civil service then was just still evolving in terms of organizational development that was heading towards institutionalization. A comprehensive reform agenda needs to have the administrative reform basics already in place if it is to succeed. The starting point of any formidable reform therefore is to get the basics of administrative reform right. The public servant is the emblem of what the public service system represents, especially to the citizens who are supposed to feel the reassuring impacts of the performances of the system. *Prof. Tunji Olaopa is the Chairman Federal Civil Service Commission