Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on the top echelons of the state’s civil/public service to continue to hold integrity and accountability in high esteem, lead by example, and live up to expectations as they discharge their statutory duties.
Prince Abiodun gave the charge while declaring open a 5-day training on “Strategic Leadership and Management Course” for Permanent Secretaries, Principals-General, General Managers, Clerks of the state’s House of Assembly, Auditors General, Executive Secretaries, and Heads of Professional Bodies in the State at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (NIPSS-OSKASOGS) Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.
According to Prince Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, as citizens look up to these top echelons to uphold the highest standards, they must continue to lead by example and remain faithful to the principles of transparency, responsibility, and service.
The governor, while appreciating the dedicated professionals who form the bedrock of the Public Service of the State, said the training was a promise made and a promise kept, and that this crop of participants would be the first to be trained at the Institute.
“This training is a reflection of our administration’s commitment to strengthening the Public Service as a driver of development.”
He appreciated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, for facilitating the establishment of the Institution at Olabisi Onabanjo University, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, for approving the school’s takeover by NIPSS, and the Leadership of the Institute for equipping the participants with a robust and relevant curriculum aimed at enabling them to function effectively at their duty posts.
In his remarks, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, acknowledged the Governor for his constant support and strong commitment to the progress of the public service of the Gateway State, pointing out that Prince Abiodun, in words and deeds, remained steadfast in his belief that a well-equipped, knowledgeable, and forward-thinking Public Service is the foundation of governance and sustainable development.
“This Strategic Leadership and Management Course we are witnessing today is yet another demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to capacity building and professional excellence in the State Public Service; it is a promise made and a promise kept,” the HoS said.
Mr. Onasanya assured that the invaluable investment of the Governor in the human capital development of the public service of Ogun State will not go down the drain, as the knowledge, insight, and skills acquired from the training will translate into enhanced governance, improved efficiency in service delivery, and a renewed commitment to the successes of building our future agenda of the administration. He added that the impact of the course will resonate across all MDAs in order to reinforce the position of the state as a trailblazer in public sector excellence in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro, described the NIPSS training program for the top echelon of officers in Ogun State as pivotal to public service development, adding that the Lagos State Government will key into it for efficient service delivery. Mr. Agoro, who affirmed the visionary steps of Prince Abiodun towards advancing the course of Public/Civil Service in the State, pointed out that it resonates with the staunch belief of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in Human Capital Development, which would further strengthen the collaboration of the two States in general administration.
All other speakers, including the Chairman of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Engr. Adeniyi Abiola, former Head of Service, Princess Iyabo Odulate, and the Chairman of the Governor’s Elders Advisory Council, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo, submitted that good governance is essential for the sustainability of any society and appreciated the Governor for providing quality leadership, as it takes a leader with foresight to develop human capacity for sustainable development.
They applauded the governor for his unwavering commitment by placing a huge premium on the welfare of the workers through technologically driven training provided by NIPSS and urged the participants to learn with an open mind, engage actively, share experiences, and adopt innovative strategies that will propel Ogun State’s civil/public service to greater heights.
The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, represented by his daughter, Princess Adetoun Adetona, described the flagging-off of the training program as a fulfillment of his dream to provide opportunities for leadership development for the growth of the country, while the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razak Adenugba, described the Awujale Institute as a great legacy for humanity and thanked Governor Abiodun for maximizing the potential for the benefit of the State.
Earlier in their separate addresses, the Director of NIPSS-OSKASOGS, Prof. Sola Adeyanju, and the Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayodeji Omotayo, while recognizing the critical roles that leadership and management play in reshaping society, expressed confidence that the training will not only shape the professional journeys of the participants but will also contribute to the realization of a stronger, more sustainable, and more prosperous Ogun State. According to Professor Adeyanju, the 5-day intensive training will focus on courses that include Fundamentals of Public Policy Design and Development, Policy Harmonization and Coordination, Fundamentals of Leadership Practices and Styles, Strategic Leadership in Public Service: Challenges and Opportunities, Emotional Intelligence for Leaders in Public Service, Ethical Considerations for Effective Public Service, and Coaching and Mentoring for Productivity in the Public Service, among others.
