By Omobolaji Adekunle
Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, has called on the senior ranks of the state’s civil and public service to continue to uphold integrity and accountability, set a positive example, and meet the expectations required of them in the course of their official duties.
Prince Abiodun delivered this message while inaugurating a 5-day “Strategic Leadership and Management Course” for Permanent Secretaries, Principals-General, General Managers, Clerks of the State House of Assembly, Auditors-General, Executive Secretaries, and Heads of Professional Bodies at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (NIPSS-OSKASOGS) at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stressed that as citizens look to these senior officers to maintain the highest standards, it is vital they lead by example, remaining true to the principles of transparency, responsibility, and service.
Prince Abiodun, acknowledging the dedication of the professionals who form the foundation of Ogun State’s public service, referred to the training as a promise fulfilled. He noted that this group of participants would be the first to receive training at the newly established Institute.
The Governor also expressed his gratitude to Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, for facilitating the establishment of the institution at Olabisi Onabanjo University. He further thanked President Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu for approving the takeover of the school by NIPSS and praised the Institute’s leadership for providing the participants with a curriculum designed to equip them with the necessary skills to perform effectively in their roles.
The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, recognised the Governor’s unwavering support for the public service, noting that Prince Abiodun, through both words and actions, had consistently advocated for a well-equipped, knowledgeable, and forward-thinking public service as the cornerstone of governance and sustainable development.
“This Strategic Leadership and Management Course is yet another demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to capacity building and professional excellence in the State’s Public Service; it is a promise made and a promise kept,” Mr. Onasanya stated.
He assured that the Governor’s significant investment in human capital development would have a lasting impact, with the knowledge, skills, and insights gained from the training expected to result in improved governance, enhanced service delivery, and a renewed dedication to the success of the administration’s future agenda. Onasanya also emphasised that the training would have a widespread effect across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Ogun State, reinforcing the state’s position as a leader in public sector excellence in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Mr. Bode Agoro, the Head of Service of Lagos State, highlighted the significance of the NIPSS training programme for Ogun State’s senior officers, describing it as crucial for the development of public service. He confirmed that Lagos State would adopt similar initiatives to further enhance service delivery. Mr. Agoro acknowledged the visionary leadership of Prince Abiodun in advancing the public and civil service sector, aligning it with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to human capital development and strengthening collaboration between the two states in public administration.
Other speakers, including Engr. Adeniyi Abiola, Chairman of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Princess Iyabo Odulate, former Head of Service, and Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo, Chairman of the Governor’s Elders Advisory Council, echoed the importance of good governance for societal sustainability. They commended the Governor for providing quality leadership and for placing significant value on the welfare of the state’s workers. They encouraged the participants to approach the training with an open mind, actively engage, share experiences, and adopt innovative strategies that would 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 commencement of the training as the realisation of his long-held dream to create opportunities for leadership development, which would ultimately benefit the nation. The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razak Adenugba, also expressed his appreciation for the establishment of the Awujale Institute, thanking Governor Abiodun for maximising its potential for the state’s benefit.
Earlier, the Director of NIPSS-OSKASOGS, Professor Sola Adeyanju, and the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayodeji Omotayo, recognised the vital role of leadership and management in transforming society. They expressed confidence that the training would not only shape the participants’ professional journeys but also contribute to the creation of a stronger, more sustainable, and prosperous Ogun State.
Professor Adeyanju added that the intensive 5-day training programme would cover topics such as Fundamentals of Public Policy Design and Development, Policy Harmonisation and Coordination, Leadership Practices and Styles, Strategic Leadership in Public Service, Emotional Intelligence for Leaders, Ethical Considerations in Public Service, and Coaching and Mentoring for Productivity in the Public Service, among others.
