Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has emphasized that rebuilding the country and setting it on a path of progress and prosperity is achievable by attracting top talent to the civil and public service.
Governor Obaseki shared this during a strategy retreat for the Heads of Service (HOS) of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta States.
The event, organized by the BRACED Commission, took place at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, Edo State.
The retreat aimed to foster excellence in both the public and private sectors, providing participants from the South-South zone with the skills needed to develop action plans for regional improvement.
As Chairman of the BRACED Commission, Obaseki opened the two-day retreat, highlighting its goal to rejuvenate the trajectory of an efficient and effective public service in the region. He stressed the importance of rebuilding the country through robust institutions and bureaucracy at local, state, and federal levels, achievable by recruiting the best talents from the civil service.
Reflecting on his university days, Obaseki said, “In my final year at the University of Ibadan, the Federal Civil Service and civil services from various states came to recruit the best graduates. This is why the public and civil services thrived, as they were staffed with highly qualified individuals. To rebuild Nigeria, we must attract top talent back into the public and civil services, treat them well, and pay them competitively.”
He underscored that capacity building and strategic hiring and retention are crucial for his administration. “To have a functional bureaucracy, you must treat employees well, respect them, and provide necessary training,” he added.
Governor Obaseki outlined his administration’s roadmap, consisting of six thematic pillars aimed at transforming the state’s institutions. He recalled the challenging conditions upon taking office, stating, “We inherited a system in disarray, but instead of complaining, we focused on fixing the issues.”
He highlighted achievements such as automated processes, motivated civil services, enhanced training, and improved work environments for public servants.
Guest lecturer and Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, praised Obaseki’s reforms, noting their positive impact on Edo State’s workforce. “We appreciate the governor’s developmental strides in the Civil and Public Service, which exemplify excellent governance,” Olaopa said.
Prof. Olaopa also noted that rebuilding Nigeria requires a robust civil and public service, which currently needs revitalization to drive national progress.
Other notable attendees at the retreat included former Edo State Governor Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Director General of the BRACED Commission Ambassador Joe Keshi, Edo State Head of Service Dr. Anthony Okungbowa Esq., and various permanent secretaries and agency heads from the South-South zone.