By Aishat Ohunene Yusuf
Since assuming office, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has displayed a clear vision for an efficient, responsive, and highly professional civil service. Under his leadership, the Kogi State Government took a bold step towards enhancing effectiveness and productivity by organizing a three-day capacity-building workshop for all Permanent Secretaries in the state.
The training, themed “Enhancing Service Delivery in the 21st Century,” was a collaborative effort between the Office of the Kogi State Head of Civil Service and the Center for Management Development (CMD).
Its aim was to equip top government officials with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the evolving demands of governance.
In today’s fast-paced world, effective governance is fueled by innovation and accountability. The expectations placed on public servants, particularly high-ranking administrators like Permanent Secretaries, who shape and execute government policies, have never been greater.
Their ability to interpret and implement policies efficiently directly impacts the quality of governance and service delivery.
Governor Ododo’s administration recognizes the importance of human capital development as a key strategy for institutional reform.
The workshop aligns with his broader agenda of promoting professionalism, transparency, and accountability across all government institutions.
Esteemed experts from the Center for Management Development, including Mr. Akonti Emmanuel, Dr. Habibat A. Salihu, and Mr. Francis Iyanya, led the training session. They shared their knowledge on key topics such as:
– Advancing Service Delivery in the 21st Century – Cultivating a value-driven approach to high-quality service.
– Employee Engagement for Quality Service Delivery – Inspiring teams for peak performance.
– Relationship Management – Enhancing workplace collaboration and productivity.
– Strategic and Social Communication for Service Delivery – Improving communication within the public sector.
– Customer Profiling and Engagement – Understanding stakeholders for improved service outcomes.
Upon the conclusion of the workshop, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, the Head of Civil Service, expressed confidence in the future of Kogi State’s civil service.
In an exclusive interview, the Head of Service reiterated the state government’s dedication to fostering a responsive, innovative, and results-oriented workforce.
Dr. Evinemi emphasized the importance of continuously equipping civil servants with modern skills to ensure effective policy implementation.
He highlighted the administration’s commitment to investing in capacity building, aiming to create a system that drives development and delivers tangible results.
Dr. Evinemi also outlined plans to establish a culture of continuous learning within the civil service, ensuring that knowledge is shared across all levels of officers.
The training’s success was commemorated with a certificate presentation ceremony. Dr. Habibat A. Salihu, Zonal Coordinator for the North Central Region at CMD who presented Dr. Evinemi with a certificate of recognition for his leadership and dedication to civil service reform.
Similarly, the Head of Civil Service awarded certificates of participation to the Permanent Secretaries.
One of the participants, Mrs. Memunat Shuaibu expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating, “This training has been incredibly enlightening. Throughout my career, I have only undergone two significant training sessions, both of which were conducted under the leadership of Governor Ododo. I wholeheartedly commend His Excellency for his belief in civil servants and the Head of Civil Service for his unwavering commitment to training and retraining staff.”
Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija also expressed his gratitude to the governor for prioritizing their professional development, saying, “I am thankful for this opportunity and the resources dedicated to its success. This training has shed light on aspects of service delivery that we previously overlooked. I feel revitalized, and I am confident that my work will now be more efficient and effective. In alignment with cascading this training to our subordinates, the Ministry of Information and Communication has been organizing training on media management. However, we are now shifting our focus to enhancing service delivery to streamline our work processes.”
Maintaining the Momentum
Through this training, the Ododo-led administration has reaffirmed its dedication to cultivating a modern, efficient, and citizen-centric civil service. The expectation now is that the Permanent Secretaries will disseminate the training to their respective teams, ensuring that the entire civil service benefits from the knowledge acquired.
As Kogi State continues to invest in capacity building, the outlook for governance in the state appears promising, with a civil service that is better equipped to drive sustainable development and enhance service delivery.
