The Head of the Civil Service of Kogi State, Dr. Elijah Adeiza Evinemi, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to rejuvenating the civil service to align with international best practices.
Speaking during a one-day leadership development session held at the Conference Hall of the State Secretariat in Lokoja, he described the civil service as the engine room of governance and emphasized the need for continuous reforms.
He commended Governor Ahmed Ododo for his support in strengthening the civil service and ensuring that it remains a driving force for implementing government policies. He noted that the presence of Permanent Secretaries and Directors at the session underscored the administration’s commitment to capacity building and efficiency in governance.
Evinemi stated that one of the key takeaways from the session was the need to expand the Government Performance Index, which has been in place but will now include an incentive program for outstanding civil servants.
He stressed that rewarding excellence would serve as motivation for improved performance and service delivery.
He also revealed that the proposal for revitalizing the civil service had already been presented to the governor, who had given verbal approval for its implementation.
He explained that the restructuring process aims to position Kogi State’s civil service on par with the best in the country, ensuring that it remains competitive and efficient in the ever-evolving governance landscape.
In his presentation, Dr. Adams Adeiza, an Associate Professor at Sunway University, Malaysia, and the guest speaker, introduced the Kogi Service Pledge, a framework designed to enhance governance and service delivery in the state.
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He explained that the pledge is built on key principles such as knowledge-driven leadership, openness and accountability, goal-oriented innovation, inter-agency synergy, character and competence, as well as inclusion and diversity.
He emphasized the need for Kogi State to adopt global best practices, citing Singapore and Dubai as examples of nations that have successfully transformed their civil service through strategic reforms.
He urged policymakers to focus on digitalization to streamline governance processes, enhancing efficiency and service delivery.
Adeiza also advocated for the adoption of the No Wrong Door Initiative, which ensures that citizens receive government services efficiently, regardless of the office they approach.
He further recommended implementing an enterprise development scheme within the civil service to encourage innovation, self-motivation, and enhanced productivity among civil servants in the state.
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