Governor Abiodun Flags Off Strategic Leadership Training For Ogun Top Government Officials

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has officially launched a five-day training programme focused on Strategic Leadership and Management for senior government officials as he urged participants to remain steadfast in upholding the values of integrity and accountability in all their professional responsibilities.

The comprehensive leadership training saw the participation of high-ranking public servants including Permanent Secretaries, Principals-General, General Managers, the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Auditor Generals, Executive Secretaries, and Heads of Professional Bodies within Ogun State.

The training is being held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (NIPSS-OSKASOGS), located at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said as citizens look up to the attendees to uphold the highest standards, they must continue to live by examples and remain faithful to the principles of transparency, responsibility and diligent service.

While appreciating the dedicated professionals who form the bedrock of the Public Service of the State, Governor Abiodun hinted that the training was promise made and promise kept, adding that the present 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 said.

The Governor appreciated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona for facilitating the establishment of the Institution at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, as well as President Bola Tinubu for approving the school’s take-over by the NIPSS, with relevant materials for effective and efficient delivery.

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 in the state, saying the Governor remained steadfast in his belief that a well equipped, knowledgeable and forward thinking Public Service is the foundation for governance and sustainable development.

Onasanya said, “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”.

He, therefore, assured that the invaluable investment of the Governor in human capital development of the public service of Ogun State will not go down the drain, as the knowledge, insights and skills acquired from the training will translate into enhanced governance and improve efficiency in the service.

In his goodwill message, the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro, described the NIPSS training programme for the top echelons of Ogun State’s civil and public service as pivotal, 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 the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in Human Capital Development which would further strengthen the collaboration of the two States in general administration.

Other Speakers, which include the Chairman, Association of Retired Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Engr. Adeniyi Abiola, former Head of Service, Princess Iyabo Odulate and the Chairman, 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.

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, represented by his daughter, Princess Adetoun Adetona described the flagging-off of the training programme as a fulfillment of his dream to provide opportunity for leadership development for the growth of the country, while the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razak Adenugba described the Institute as a great legacy for humanity and thanked Governor Abiodun for maximizing the potentials for the benefit of the State.

Earlier in their separate addresses, the Director, NIPPS-OSKASOGS, Prof. Sola Adeyanju and the Director General, NIPPS, Kuru Jos, Prof. Ayodeji Omotayo while recognising the critical roles that leadership and management play in reshaping the society expressed confidence that the training will not only shape the professional journeys of the participants but will also contribute to the realisation of a stronger, more sustainable and more prosperous Ogun State.

According to Professor Adeyanju, the 5-day intensive training will focus on courses which include Fundamentals of Public Policy design and development, policy harmonisation and coordination among others