General News
The Head of Civil Service of Kogi, Dr Elijah Evinemi, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to rejuvenating the civil service to align with international best practices.
Evinemi made this statement on Tuesday in Lokoja while speaking at a one-day leadership development session.
He described the civil service as the engine room of governance and emphasised the need for continuous reforms to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
He commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo for his support in strengthening the civil service and ensuring it remains a driving force for implementing government policies.
Evinemi noted that the presence of Permanent Secretaries and Directors at the session underscored the administration’s commitment to capacity building and efficiency in governance.
One key takeaway from the session, he said, was the expansion of the Government Performance Index to include an incentive programme for outstanding civil servants.
He stressed that rewarding excellence would serve as motivation for improved performance and better service delivery across the state.
Evinemi also revealed that the proposal for revitalising the civil service had been presented to the governor, who had given verbal approval for its implementation.
He stated that the restructuring aims to position Kogi’s civil service among the best in the country, ensuring its competitiveness in an evolving governance landscape.
In his presentation, Dr Adams Adeiza, an Associate Professor at Sunway University, Malaysia, introduced the Kogi Service Pledge, a framework for enhancing governance and service delivery.
He explained that the pledge is built on key principles, including knowledge-driven leadership, openness, accountability, goal-oriented innovation, and inter-agency synergy.
Other principles of the pledge include character and competence, as well as inclusion and diversity, to promote an effective civil service.
Adeiza emphasised the need for Kogi to adopt global best practices, citing Singapore and Dubai as examples of successful civil service reforms.
He urged policymakers to prioritise digitalisation to streamline governance processes, enhancing efficiency and service delivery in the state.
Adeiza also advocated for the No Wrong Door Initiative, which ensures citizens receive government services efficiently, regardless of the office they approach.
Additionally, he recommended implementing an enterprise development scheme within the civil service to encourage innovation, self-motivation, and improved productivity among civil servants. (NAN)
E.A
Feb. 4, 2025
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