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By Abdullahi Ahmed
Kwara State Government has organized a two-day leadership and governance workshop for political office holders and senior civil servants aimed at enhancing efficiency in service delivery and promoting good governance.
The workshop, themed “Effective Governance and Leadership Skills,” was organized by the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with Triumph Corporate Ltd.
Speaking at the opening session, the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Mercy Olufunke Shittu, said the training underscores the administration’s commitment to effective leadership and quality governance.
She noted that the participants occupy key positions requiring a blend of political acumen and administrative expertise to successfully navigate the complexities of modern governance.
“As Honourable Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries, we form the core of policy formulation and implementation within our respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Our roles require a balance of political insight and administrative skill to deliver on the government’s mandate,” Dr. Shittu said.
She added that the workshop was designed to sharpen participants’ existing skills, equip them with contemporary tools for effective decision-making, and foster stronger collaboration between political and administrative heads for seamless policy implementation.
Dr. Shittu revealed that a recent training needs assessment conducted by her office identified knowledge gaps in ICT among certain cadres in the Civil Service, noting that the workshop would also help address such deficiencies.
Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Saba Jubril; Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jidda; Commissioners; serving and retired Permanent Secretaries; among others.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Triumph Corporate Ltd and APC chieftain, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, said the workshop was aimed at strengthening synergy between Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
“The Commissioners are the political heads of the Ministries, and this training is designed to harmonize their roles with those of the Permanent Secretaries while improving their overall capacity to deliver effectively,” Adedoyin said.
“At the end of the training, we expect that participants will be better equipped to perform their duties in ways that reflect the vision and aspirations of the government.”
He urged participants to make the most of the training, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement for effective governance.
A keynote presenter, Prof. Emmanuel Ojo, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Ilorin and former Chief of Staff to ex-Oyo State Governor Isiaka Ajimobi, spoke on the principles of good governance and leadership.
He identified poor governance and weak leadership as persistent challenges in Africa, calling on leaders to engage more robustly with their constituents and to base their policies on reliable data for effective planning and implementation.
“When people get into public office, they often disconnect from the citizens, only to return when elections approach. This disconnection hampers governance and diminishes public trust,” he said.
Another resource person, Prof. Lambe Kayode Mustapha, a Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, presented a paper titled “Effective Communication: A Brief for Top Government Officials.”
Participants who spoke with journalists on the sidelines commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to building the capacity of public officers, pledging to apply the knowledge gained to improve service delivery in their respective ministries and agencies.
