By Joy Salami
The Kogi State Government has organised a three-day training program titled “Engaging Service Delivery in the 21st Century” for 28 Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service.
This groundbreaking initiative, the first of its kind for Kogi State’s permanent secretaries, was designed to enhance their capacity in policy implementation and service delivery.
The training, conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Management Development (CMD), focused on equipping the officials with global best practices in governance and administration. The intensive sessions aimed to improve efficiency, professionalism, and accountability in the state’s civil service.
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Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Head of Service, Pastor Elijah Evidemi, emphasised the significance of continuous learning for civil servants, particularly permanent secretaries, who serve as the administrative backbone of ministries, departments, and agencies.
“This training is a major step in the development of our permanent secretaries. They have acquired knowledge before, but this is the first time they are receiving a joint training of this magnitude since their appointments. Civil servants are the backbone of governance, and it is crucial that those implementing government policies are equipped with up-to-date skills and knowledge,” he stated.
Pastor Evidemi highlighted that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration has prioritised civil service reforms, with plans for more training initiatives in the pipeline.
Effective governance requires aligning with national and global trends to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Governor Ododo understands the value of a well-equipped civil service. That is why he approved this training and many more to come. The goal is to ensure our civil servants meet global best practices, he added.
He urged the permanent secretaries to implement the knowledge gained by sharing insights with their subordinates. To ensure impact, he noted that feedback mechanisms would be put in place to track progress and monitor improvements in service delivery.
The training aligns with the Kogi State 32-Year Development Plan, which prioritizes citizen-centric governance. As part of ongoing reforms, the state government is set to enhance citizen participation in policymaking through town hall meetings and inclusive budgeting processes.
Pastor Evidemi reiterated that this training was only the beginning of broader reforms aimed at making the civil service more responsive, efficient, and globally competitive.
The reforms we are implementing are citizen-focused. At the end of the day, the impact will be felt by the people. Civil service reforms should result in better governance, economic growth, and an efficient system that benefits the masses, he concluded.
Speaking at the training, Akonti Ohinoyi Emmanuel, Director of Accreditation at CMD, commended the Kogi State Government for prioritizing capacity building within the civil service. He emphasized that no consultant or institution should conduct management training without accreditation from the National Council for Management Development (NCMD), the regulatory body overseeing professional training and consultancy services in Nigeria.
Emmanuel praised the high level of participation and commitment from attendees, noting that it reflected a strong desire for professional growth.
We were initially unsure if this program would hold, but seeing the level of engagement and participation, we are convinced that the state is serious about capacity building. The knowledge gained here will transform service delivery, he remarked.
Dr. Habibat Salihu, Zonal Coordinator for CMD’s North Central Office and one of the facilitators, underscored the importance of continuous learning for civil servants.
Service delivery cannot improve without capacity building. The civil service is the backbone of governance, and continuous training is essential for innovation, efficiency, and effective policy implementation, she said.
Training is an ongoing process, and knowledge is the one thing you take with you even after retirement, Dr. Salihu advised.
Mr. Ebenezer Adurojia, Permanent Secretary for Information, acknowledged that the training reshaped their perspective on service delivery.
There are little things we often take for granted, but now we realize how much impact they have. This training has been an opportunity to rethink our approach to governance, he noted.
Similarly, Mrs. Shuaibu Memunat Dede, Permanent Secretary for Establishments and Training, shared her experience, revealing that in her 34 years of service, this was only her second formal training.
It is truly remarkable that the present administration recognizes the importance of training and retraining. I hope this initiative continues and extends to local governments and commissioners, she stated.
Benjamin Ajodo, Permanent Secretary for Administration, described the training as a much-needed refresher course that would enhance their effectiveness in public service. He assured that the lessons learned would be applied across ministries and departments.
In his remarks, Elder Sunday Odeh, Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Civil Service Commission, emphasized the importance of cascading the training to other senior officers.
I will be sending a proposal to ensure that directors and deputy directors also benefit from this program. Knowledge must be shared so that the burden of governance is evenly distributed, he said.
They all expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prioritizing capacity development and providing the necessary resources for the training. They also commended the Head of Service for her dedication to training and retraining civil servants.
At the end of the program, CMD officials encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired skills in their respective offices and embrace continuous learning.
The successful completion of the program is expected to pave the way for further civil service reforms, including the digitalization of administrative processes. The Kogi State Government reaffirmed its commitment to continuous training, ensuring that the workforce remains adaptable to emerging challenges and opportunities.
With this initiative, Kogi State takes a significant step toward strengthening governance and enhancing service delivery.
