The John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), established by the Edo State Government to train civil servants in the state, would be formally launched on August 12, 2023, to commemorate the 84th birthday anniversary of Oyegun, the first executive governor of the state.
Announcing the launch in Benin on Wednesday after a media tour of the facilities at the academy, the pioneer Director General, Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu, said that the institute was established by Governor Godwin Obaseki to drive accelerated human capacity development in the state and to position the Edo civil service to a level it would compete favourably with any civil service in the globe.
Ajoonu added that the keynote address for the launch would be delivered by Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“We stand before you today with great pride and excitement to announce the upcoming formal launch of the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) and the commemoration of HE John Odigie-Oyegun’s 84th birthday. This milestone event marks a significant step towards the advancement of human capital development within the Edo State Public Service.
“JOOPSA was established by the Edo State Government with a strategic intent to foster accelerated human capital development within the State Public Service. Under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the administration’s commitment to this objective is exemplified by the construction of a world-class Training Center. This Center is thoughtfully designed and equipped with modern facilities, including classrooms, an amphitheater, a library, a sickbay, and tech labs, all of which are complemented by cutting-edge technologies, training aids, and equipment to enhance the learning experience”, Ajoonu noted.
She said that the Academy was honoured to bear the name of Chief Oyegun, “a retired Federal Permanent Secretary and First Executive Governor of Edo State. The decision to name the Academy after him goes beyond immortalizing his legacy during his lifetime; it serves as a celebration of his values, ethos, and unwavering commitment to creating public value and institutionalizing excellence in public service.”
According to her, “On the day of the launch, our esteemed guests will be treated to a Keynote Address delivered by Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Additionally, there will be a guided tour of our state-of-the-art facility, providing an opportunity to experience firsthand the world-class amenities available to our learners. The day will conclude with a grand state banquet, where we will have the honour of paying tribute to the distinguished H.E. John Odigie-Oyegun.”
She expressed optimism that JOOPSA would play the pivotal role of driving positive change and fostering a culture of excellence in the state public service, as the Academy continued to drive its training with world class technology.
Ajoonu dismissed the feeling in the public space that the Academy would be another event centre, stressing that the facilities at the institute were strictly for learning, adding that the curricula were designed to enhance skills and other training that would be required to have a robust civil service.
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