Emmanuel Oluwakorede, Ifedamola Henry, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government is to adopt Artificial Intelligence and technologically driven Civil Service for improved proficiency and productivity.
The State Head of Civil Service, Hajiya Falilat Yusuf Musa made this known while speaking on this week’s edition of State of Kogi, a Radio Kogi audience participatory programme.
Since the advent of Artificial Intelligence and Information and Communication Technology, this is the first time Kogi State Government is considering adopting full technology in its Civili Service system.
The Head of Service, while speaking on the Programme noted that very soon, digital transformation team will commence training of workers on Artificial intelligence as well as Information and Communication Technology.
According to Hajiya Falilat, the move is to transform the State Civil Service from paper based to paperless, where State workers can compete with others in the world.
She explained that the Government is also considering the introduction of merit-based promotion system in a bid to ensure competence and performance-oriented workforce.
Hajiya Falilat said the new system would gradually move the civil service away from automatic promotion based largely on seniority, with workers expected to undergo examinations and performance assessments before advancing in their careers.
She explained that the initiative was designed to reward competence, productivity and capacity, rather than merely years spent in service.
Hajiya Falilat said training and retraining are necessary investments in the workforce rather than an expense, stressing that workers must continually acquire new skills to effectively operate within a modern public service.
She appealed to civil servants to embrace the ongoing digital transformation, saying the present administration was determined to ensure that the workforce was not left behind by technological advancement.
On workers’ welfare, the Head of Service commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what she described as his commitment to the wellbeing of civil servants.
She further disclosed that the administration was planning fresh recruitment into the civil service, subject to available resources, to address manpower gaps and introduce new skills into the workforce.
While responding to a caller seeking employment opportunities for people with Senior Secondary School Certificate qualifications, the Head of Service advised young people to pursue further education and improve their skills in order to remain competitive in the evolving labour market.
While a caller, Mr. Steve made passionate appeal for the State Government to bring lasting solutions to issues of Payment of gratuity, another Caller, Mr. Michael from Barracks Lokoja urged the government to build new Housing Estates for workers.
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