Tracy Ohovwore, Benin City
The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa has asserted the position of the books launched by the Director of Establishments, Labour and Productivity, Victor Okenini Esq., titled “Reformulating the Policies of the Civil Service” and “Effective Writing for Public Servants and Business Professionals,” as contributions towards practical and good governance in the State.
As part of the book’s launch, the Author, Okenini Esq., in collaboration with the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), convened a public lecture themed “The Public Service as a Catalyst for Good Governance.” The event, which was held in Benin City, had top dignitaries in attendance.
At the Public Lecture and presentation of Okenini’s books; “Reformulating the Policies of the Civil Service” and “Effective Writing for Public Servants and Business Professionals,” the Chairman of the occasion and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa cited the Edo State Public Service as such that can serve as catalyst for good governance, only if it conducted its affairs and manage public resources in an effective, transparent, accountable and equitable manner.
The HOS, represented by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of Edo Pension Bureau, Mr. Washington Abbe, said, “Edo, like every part of Nigeria, has faced issues such as infrastructural decay, educational challenges, healthcare deficits, and unemployment. But over the last decade and a half, the State has seen significant improvements in many of these areas, changes geared towards reforming the Public Service to become the engine of progressive governance.
“Edo under the present administration of His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has seen a lot of focus on the pragmatism and practicality of good governance. The State enjoys the privilege of having a Governor who can boast of several successes just after 200 days in office. The Governor has initiated a series of reforms and projects that underscore the pivotal role of an efficient and accountable public service.
“The Governor is strengthening the institutions of government through training by prioritising the institutionalisation of JOOPSA; training the workforce on functional skills which align with their core duties, and this in turn guarantees a better equipped workforce, enhances service delivery to meet the needs of the people with utmost professionalism and dedication. By investing in human capital, the administration seeks to build a civil service that is responsible, transparent and accountable to the citizens.”
Unveiling the books, the HOS congratulated the Author, whom he described as the“Irreplaceable Victor Okenini,” for his valuable contributions to the body of knowledge in the Civil and Public Service of Edo State. He hinted that his books would provide Civil and Public servants, as well as those interested in governance and policy-making, with a portal into the intricacies of bureaucracies and public administration.
In his words, “It is noteworthy to mention that not many people have contributed to the growth and development of Edo State Civil Service in the way that Mr. Okenini has done. I have never seen an administrative officer while still very active in Service, showing ambition and desire to record his knowledge for the present generation and the ones to come. You are a source of inspiration and we are proud of you.
“I reserved special thanks to the Author for not just making these valuable contributions to the Service, but for allowing his work to serve as a platform; bringing together some of our best heads to a round table for a public lecture to help devise ways to move our dear State forward.”
Delivering a lecture on the first sub-theme, titled “Critical Issues in Purposeful Leadership, the Guest Speaker, who is the Director General of Dr. Osahon Enabulale Foundation and immediate past President of the World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulale, stated that any leadership not geared towards leaving lasting legacies is not purposeful. He advised the attendees to be visionary, passionate about their work and tolerant of feedback and innovative initiatives from their followers.
Dr. Enabulale, while emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence, urged commitment to followers’ welfare and transformational leadership. He suggested that leaders carry out what he termed “strategic envisioning ” and distinguish themselves with dedication to excellence.
In his address, the Chief Convener and Author of the books, Mr. Okenini, appreciating guests for honouring the invite, revealed that his inspiration was from Bible Book of Matthew, chapter five verse fifteen, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.”
Reiterating the importance of contributing one’s quota towards the development of the State, he disclosed that he got into the State Civil Service on merit in August 1999, following his outstanding performance during his mandatory one-year National Youth Service. “I could not have been in a better civil service than Edo. I really want to thank the State Governor for this opportunity and my mentor, the Head of Service for his support. The proceeds of these books will be used for more research and publication of more books on Public Service,” he concluded.
On the books’ review, a retired PS, Researcher and Consummate Administrator, Mr. Edionwe Joel, hinted that “Reformulating the Policies of the Civil Service” is a 92-page book consisting of six chapters and the foreword is credited to a former Acting Head of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Kingsley Odabi Esq., whilst the foreword of “Effective Writing for Public Servants and Business Professionals” is to the credit of the Edo State HOS, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa. He asserted that they would serve as veritable tools in the hands of all public officers.
The public lecture featured a panel that examined the second sub-theme, “Entrenching Excellence in the Public Service,” led by the Director General of JOOPSA, Mrs. Gina Otamere. Other panelists included a retired PS, Deborah Enakhimion Esq; the PS, Ministry of Budget, Mr. Efe Iserhienrhien; PS in the Public Service, Dr. Desmond Agbama; the PS, Directorate of Corporate Change, Communication and Performance Management, Dr. Mrs. Joy Akhigbe Esq.; the Head of Human Resources, Uselu Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Mrs. Isede Clara Celimat.
The wife of the Author and Lead Fiduciary of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Mrs. Osasu Okenini, appreciated all attendees and the Committee members for their support towards the success of the books’ launch.
