The Kogi State Government has said that henceforth the elevation of civil servants in the state civil service would be based on performance.
The Kogi State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Elijah Evinemi who stated this while declaring open the four day training program, organized for civil servants in the state , said the event marks the beginning of the transformative journey of equipping administrators to drive positive change.
According to him, the state government has recognized optimal performance as the cornerstone of effective civil service delivery hence the need for periodic training of civil servants in the state.
“The mandate of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is clear: reform the civil service,” Evinemi emphasized.
“We’ve engaged renowned institutions like LIPS, Koro, ASCO and the Center for Management Development for capacity building. This training lays the foundation for excellence.
“We’re transiting from manual operations to Gen Z administration, embracing artificial intelligence while recognizing the vital human element. Our goal is to equip you with expertise to manage finance and non-financial assets effectively.”
The Head of Civil Service noted that all that was needed for the program to succeed has been provided by the Governor adding that the Training is free for all participants, noting that “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
Deputy Director of Training in the office of the Head of Civil Service, Hajia Mariam Yakubu, emphasized, that they are committed to reforming the civil service through capacity building.
“Prior to the BACH program, our public secretaries underwent training before exams, yielding impressive results. This in-house training from October 28th to 3th , 2024 at the state secretariat, will empower administrators and human resource managers to drive positive change.”
Also speaking, a resource person Elder Sunday Ude who is the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, stressed, that financial regulations are crucial for effective public service administration.
According to him, understanding these regulations enables civil servants to manage resources efficiently.
“The Local Government Service Commission’s role includes recruitment, promotion, deployment, discipline and transfer of local government employees. Effective financial management is vital for optimal service delivery.”
The Director of Establishment, office of the Head of Civil Service Mrs. A.E. Onoja, who is also a resource person stated that leadership and emotional intelligence are vital for driving progress, noting that effective leaders empathize with their teams, guiding them toward excellence.
“A good leader shows gentleness, kindness and empathy, understanding followers’ challenges. Leaders must utilize emotional intelligence to assess team members’ well-being and provide direction for optimal performance” she stated.
She commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his support to the civil service emphasising the need for total commitment and loyalty of all civil servants in the state.
