By Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
The John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) has convened a one-day stakeholders’ engagement workshop of the Inter-Ministerial Counterpart Team (IMCT), aimed at reviewing the strategic plan, JOOPSA’s training curriculum and the 2025 training calendar for civil and public servants in the State.
Emphasizing the need for the development of intellectual strength in the Service, the Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa Esq., underscored the importance of gathering stakeholders’ inputs before finalizing the training calendars. While encouraging active participation from the participants, he stressed that a service lacking intellectual strength would struggle with growth and development.
Dr. Okungbowa stated, “For us, JOOPSA is central and pivotal to the growth and development of civil and public service. The key reason we have one of the best civil and public services on the continent is because of this Academy.
“A workshop like this is a veritable platform to start reorganizing and redirecting this establishment because if we do not sit down like what we are doing today; if we do not look out for the things we are supposed to, spanning the next three to five years, by way of having a structured calendar, we will just be working hazardously. And invariably, we will not be able to succeed in our plan to ensure we grow the intellectual properties in the service.
“With the implementation of plans like this, we will be able to know how much efficacy and efficiency we have harnessed in the service over a period of time.”
The Director General (DG) of JOOPSA, Mrs. Gina I. Otamere, highlighted the critical roles of Directors of Shared Services in managing staff leave, promotions, recruitment conditions and outlining capacity building needs.
While explaining the essence of incorporating the inputs of the directors in developing a well-rounded and effective training calendar before the implementation of the Academy’s proposed plan, Mrs. Otamere encouraged the participants to actively and freely make constructive suggestions which will lead to better outcomes for the Service.
According to her, “The purpose of engaging this caliber of staff today is to collaboratively review JOOPSA’s proposed training plan. Together, we will refine it, ensuring that it aligns with the needs of the service.
“At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to produce a strategic training plan that is widely accepted and validated by all stakeholders; one that, when implemented, will enhance service delivery and overall effectiveness.”
The DG buttressed JOOPSA’s renewed focus on functional skills, emphasizing that training will now be tailored to competency and professional development needs for staff at different levels. She posited that it could be frustrating to work with staff who lack essential functional skills and assured that the plan is designed to address such shortcomings.
In a lecture titled, “Learning and Development in Service”, the Facilitator, Mrs. D. O. Enakhimion, a retired Permanent Secretary from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, reinforced the idea that the quality of public service depends on governments’ investment in knowledge and skills development, stressing that learning must be a continuous process.
Enakhimion stated, “Learning is the hallmark of any effective organization. It equips employees with adaptive skills that enhance service delivery. You cannot expect high performance from workers without first making the necessary investments in capacity building.
“While some may underestimate the importance of structured training plans, today’s exercise ensures that all cadres are accounted for, that each training programme addresses key competency gaps in the Service, and ensures staff takes ownership of the calendar for their professional growth. This approach ultimately will enhance productivity across the Service.”
