By Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
The importance of digital literacy in strengthening government-citizen interface has been emphasised by the Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa Esq., who reiterated the State Government’s commitments towards expanding digital solutions geared towards fostering economic growth and efficient governance in the State.
Dr. Okungbowa made the pledge to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led by its Senior Programme Officer, Abigail Faylor during a courtesy visit on the office of the HOS at the Government House in Benin City.
The HOS underscored the roles of the civil and public service in ensuring that government policies and initiatives align with the needs of the people, maintaining that digital literacy is no longer an optional skill but a necessity for citizens to fully engage with government services and to benefit from technological advancements.
He asserted, “The Service is the bridge between the government and the governed; virtually everything the government does, it does so through the instrumentality of the civil and public service. To ensure it delivers on its assigned roles there is a need for the personnels within the Service to be properly trained.”
Dr. Okungbowa stated that the OneEdo project, an initiative of the Edo State Digital Governance and Data Management Agency (Edo DiDa) is a centralised platform that consolidates government services, making them more accessible to the public. Elaborating on the prospects of the unified portal, he stated that the OneEdo project will enhance citizens’ participation in governance and improve service delivery.
He explained, “It is our expectation that this one-stop online portal will onboard all the services offered by the government, thus improving accessibility for citizens. At the pilot stage now, five services have already been onboarded, and we plan to expand further. Now, with just a click, citizens can access services without the need to move from one Ministry Department and Agency to another. This is the core objective; bringing government closer to the people”.
Discussing the State’s broader vision for digital transformation, the HOS emphasised the increasing global demand for digital services and the government’s investment in digital infrastructure to move with the trend. He said, “Our goal was to build a fully digital governance system, starting with the public service, which we did. Now with the OneEdo platform, we are extending these solutions beyond government offices to directly serve the people.”
Dr. Okungbowa recounted the numerous awards Edo State has received in recognition of its leadership in digital governance, noting that its success has set a benchmark for other States. Outlining the State’s long-term vision for digital inclusion, he declared, “In the next 25 years, we want to see a high level of digital solutions; not just within the public service but among all citizens. Our goal is for every Edo resident to be able to engage in digital transactions and access government services with ease. To achieve this, we must invest in digital literacy and ensure the availability of subsided tools and infrastructure.”
The Permanent Secretary of Transformation Office, Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Akhigbe commended the Foundation for its support in enhancing the digital capabilities within Edo State’s workforce. She noted that through initiatives such as the Digilink programme, over 40 digital solutions have been developed based on user research, significantly improving workers’ skills and global competitiveness.
Dr. Akhigbe while emphasising the impact of the OneEdo platform, described it as a transformative solution that eliminates physical barriers to government services, reduces reliance on intermediaries, and ensures greater efficiency in service delivery.
“Transitioning from physical to digital governance will not only streamline processes but also enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, it will create an effective feedback loop, enabling direct communication between the government and the people,” Dr. Akhigbe concluded.
Faylor on behalf of the Foundation commended the Edo State Government’s efforts towards integrating digital solutions in rendering government services, citing recent initiatives such as the EdoCERT which was launched within the first 100 days of the Sen. Monday Okpebholo’s administration in office and the OneEdo project, as many to come in the thread.
