John Ewah & Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
Governor Godwin Obaseki has said that only a well-skilled workforce can drive a meaningful and impactful change in governance. The Governor made this assertion during the official launch of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), named after the first Executive Governor of Edo State, Chief (Dr.) John Odigie Oyegun CON, in an event which held on Saturday 12th August 2023, also marking the 84th birthday anniversary of the elder statesman.
Recounting the condition of the civil and public service before his administration, Governor Obaseki expressed satisfaction over inputs by the Academy in up-skilling civil and public servants in the state since its inception and optimistic about the future of the Academy in sustaining ongoing reforms in the public service especially in the area of manpower development.
According to Obaseki, “In order to attempt to deal with the human capacity development deficit, we embarked on a task to set up the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), as a centre of excellence, to train and build the capacity of our civil and public servants, so that they can perform optimally.
“This academy will undertake training, research, exchange and international intellectual linkages with other local and global institutions.
“The ability of a government to execute its policies is largely dependent on the quality and ability of its public servants. That is why, from the beginning of our administration, the transformation of the civil and public service of our state has always been our priority.
“It is very clear to us that only a well-skilled workforce can drive meaningful and impactful change in governance and sustain our development efforts in Edo State.”
Speaking further, Obaseki noted that the ongoing reforms in the public service are geared towards building capacity in public servants to enable them function effectively.
The Governor said: “In the last 6 years, we have undertaken a holistic revamp of the public service in Edo State, so as to enable civil and public servants function effectively.
“The Edo State Transformation and Enhancement Programme (EdoSTEP), has resulted in a significant and unprecedented improvement in the capacity of civil servants to deliver optimally.
“Today, the public service of Edo State is the most digitalized public service in Nigeria, with over 5,000 computers littered in offices, and fiber optic connections to all government offices. By September 1st this year, Edo State would have achieved a paperless governance environment, which will make us the first state to achieve this feat.
“With the investments in fiber optic connection and the capacity building at JOOPSA, our public servants at the state and local government will receive regular training both physically and remotely and this will improve service delivery.”
JOOPSA, a public service Academy conceptualized and actualized by the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration to up-skill and build capacity in public servants in the state and across the nation, and with a dream of becoming the foremost public service Academy in sub-Saharan Africa, offers in-service training to civil and public servants, with its unique selling point, which is the capacity to attract the best instructors, emerging from partnerships and MOUs with various world class institutions.
Stating the reason why the Academy was named after the first Executive Governor of Edo State, Obaseki said: “We decided to name this Academy after our first Executive Governor of Edo State; a distinguished retired federal Permanent Secretary, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, because he exemplifies and embodies the ethos that we are propagating; that of integrity, intellectualism, fidelity to a course and excellence.
“These values and attributes are woven into the fabric of the modules of courses that are to be delivered in this Academy, and drive its mission, so that we can customize relevant training to improve our public service.”
On his part, the celebrant and honouree, Chief (Dr.) John Odigie Oyegun CON, lauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration for its developmental strides, and described the institution as one with intense possibilities.
According to Oyegun, “Let me say emphatically that, indeed, I am very proud; very proud that my name has been associated with an institution of such intense possibilities; with an institution that will almost certainly serve as a lighthouse; with an institution that really reflects my life in the civil and public service.
“I want to assure you that this is an incredible line. It is not just the civil service and public service. I am aware of a lot of things that are going on; the various hubs that are being created, preparing the state for the future. The Governor sees the direction the world is going and does not want Edo State to lag behind.”
“I am very convinced that before somebody leaves this institution, he will not only be equipped technically for the assignment he is going to perform, his mind would have gone through a re-orientation that would indicate to him that service matters, excellence matters, performance matters, integrity matters, and all of these will be rewarded in the way you progress through the system.”
Other speakers at the event include the keynote speaker, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, Former Head of Service of Nigeria, Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., and the Director General of JOOPSA, Ms. Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu.
Also present at the event were; the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir. Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion; Two-Time Governor of Sokoto State and Former Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Victoria Oyegun; Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq.; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi; Senator Ehigie Uzamere; Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa; President, World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele; amongst others.
