02.05.09 Serving the Public Is a High and Noble Calling – Do Not Take It for Granted (Orig Ng 27)

27. The Marriage Vows of a Public Servant

The sunshine glittered over the lake, teasing the waters with jewel-like sparkling patterns.  An aroma of romance filled the air.  It was as if the lake had also been made aware that today was Ninsiima’s wedding day.  And, unlike the usual bikinis, swim suits and shorts, the beach was filled with a mosaic of ladies and gentleman dressed in their best, waiting for the bride to arrive for the wedding ceremony.  Luka and Ninsiima had innovatively chosen the beach as the appropriate venue for them to tie the knot.  Already, the Priest, Luka and his best-man had taken their positions on the sand.  Soon thereafter, the sound of the enchanting church organ filled the cool sea breeze, signalling that the bride and her father were about to make their entrance.  And as the bride flowed past, she looked so angelic on her father’s arm.  In what seemed like just a moment, the wedding ceremony had begun.  

The Priest echoed, “Do you, Luka take Ninsiima to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?” Luka answered with loving determination, "I do".  And later, it was the bride’s turn: "I, Ninsiima, take thee Luka, to be my husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, till death us do part'.  The two had sealed their commitment for life.  Claps and ululations from well-wishers rang, almost competing with the magic sound of the waves.  This was a historical moment, a milestone for Luka and Ninsiima.  

The marriage oath is similar to the commitment to work for public service; as I explained to a freshly recruited Officer, Yokana when he requested for advice on how to excel in his new job at a certain Ministry.  

He could not conceal his surprise, when I handed him a copy of the marriage vows as a prescription for excellent public service delivery.  He listened with inquisitive, almost provoked intent, as I interpreted the vows, phrase by phrase.

Firstly, I drew his attention to the question, “Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?”  I explained that by Yokana’s acceptance of his job offer, he was in effect promising to love and care for the customer; adding that love is expressed when we treat customers the way that we would prefer to be treated. 

Further, ‘to honor' encompasses respect; and therefore, Yokana was expected to always give the customer the highest priority. 

‘Cherishing’ customers meant treating them with affection, and being sensitive to their needs, as well as recognizing that they are the reason why Yokana’s job exists.  If members of the public did not have a need, he would never have had the job.

I explained that ‘Protection’ was also part of the package that he would be expected to provide to the customer.  It was therefore his duty to assure them of his willingness to help as this would show that he had their interests at heart.

‘Forsaking all others’ meant that Yokana would not entertain any form of interruptions, interferences or distractions when serving customers.  And, ‘holding onto the spouse’ meant that Yokana was to always show customers his zeal and readiness to provide excellent services, if the customers came again next time.

I reminded him that partners commit to love each other “for richer or for poorer”.  Likewise, he would be expected to willingly provide the best services, regardless of whether there were monetary incentives or not.  I cautioned him that he should seek being faithful at his job first, and the treasures of life would undoubtedly follow.

I added that in the same way that spouses commit to stay with each other in ‘sickness and in health’, Yokana should never use poor physical or emotional health as an excuse for delivering poor services to customers.  

He then interjected by asking “what about the last phrase – ‘till death do us part’?”  I explained that public servants never retire from serving their nation, as the public will always expect Yokana to play his role in the community.  

As he thanked me for my time, he commented: “Now I know that my invitation to serve the public is a noble calling; an honour reserved for only those who have passionately fallen in love with their country..; I promise to take my commitment seriously”.  And as he walked away, I knew that my ‘message had been sent’.