Vice President Namadi Sambo on Friday in Abuja described the civil service as the key to the development of the nation.

Sambo, who made the remark shortly after attending a special Jumat service to mark this year's Civil Service Week, called on civil servants to be agents of change.

"The civil service is the engine room of development and delivery of services to Nigerians.

"Insha Allah, we will continue to pray and cooperate and give all the necessary impetus for the achievement of government objectives." he said.

The Vice President challenged civil servants to be diligent and proactive in the bid to fast track government's transformation agenda.

He reiterated government's commitment to building a vibrant civil service that would be at par with those of the developed countries.

Earlier, The Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Sali, had urged civil servants to be transparent and professional in their day to day activities.

"The civil service is an institution that places trust on individuals; it is their responsibility to ensure that peace and development are promoted since that is the only way we can develop our country."

The Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed, in his sermon, prayed for the peace and stability of the nation.

He urged Muslims to be good ambassadors of Islam and contribute positively to the development of the nation.

The security was tight at the National Mosque as worshipers were thoroughly frisked at the gate by a combined team of SSS and police officials, before being allowed into the mosque.