Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, has commended the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) for the positive impact it has made on the civil and public service since it came into existence in 2022.
JOOPSA was established in March 2022 and officially launched on August 12, 2023, in honor of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s birthday
Obaseki stated this at an Open House for journalists, social media influencers and online content creators on Thursday in Benin
The governor noted that the academy, headed by Imuwahen Ajoonu, the Director General (DG), has changed the way the public service operates, by igniting a culture change and improving service delivery.
“I must commend what Ajoonu is doing at JOOPSA. She has changed the way the civil and public services operate and all that we sought when we put up the academy.
“This has also made the digitalization of government activities easier as the civil servant can now function within a system that promotes continuous learning and development due to the training they have been given at JOOPSA.
“The entire state will definitely benefit from the impact of JOOPSA in the near future, as we focus on strengthening our institutions, through capacity building,” Obaseki said.
Ajoonu, who also took the participants on a tour of the academy, said the academy has quickly become a knowledge and skills hub for public servants.
She highlighted JOOPSA’s commitment to a conducive learning environment, cutting edge curriculum and a faculty made up of subject matter experts.
She stated that JOOPSA has had a transformative impact on civil and public service training, ushering in a new era of excellence under Obaseki’s visionary leadership.
“To date, the Academy has successfully trained 7,040 participants, aligning with its mission to shape a skilled and innovative public service workforce.
“The strategic partnerships with industry experts, including collaborations with institutions like Nexford University, the Project Management Institute of Nigeria, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), have helped the Academy scale its operations effectively.
“The academy offers a diverse programme portfolio covering vital courses such as ‘Managing the Retirement Disruption, Negotiation and Collaboration for Leaders, and Public Policy Evaluation and Interpretation,” she said.
The DG reiterated the academy’s commitment to continuous professional skills enhancement through innovative training programmes.