Statisticians and Planners in the Ogun State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been tasked to always seek knowledge and be in tune with the current global trend, to add value and assist the government in making informed decisions, towards providing meaningful dividends of democracy for the people of the State.

 Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan made this known in Abeokuta, at a 2-day training on Modern Data Management, organised by the Bureau of Statistics for Government Statisticians and Planners, adding that a knowledge worker plays a significant role in the application of specific skills in analysing information to generate ideas towards quality service delivery.

 Olabimtan pointed out that the availability of accurate data would help the government to adequately plan and get reliable data required for the socio-economic development of the State.

The Commissioner maintained that the training was part of the Public Service Reform drive of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration through the Ogun State Transformation Project (OGSTEP), targeted at improving the capacities of the participants.

‘’The Prince Dapo Abiodun led-administration is committed to data management and this informed his decision to create a World-class Bureau of Statistics that will provide accurate data for the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people. In achieving this laudable target, the Statisticians and Planners should have the required skills to efficiently carry out their jobs. This training will indeed be an eye-opener to modern solutions for result-based data gathering", he submitted.

 In her goodwill message, the OGSTEP Project Head, Mrs. Mosun Odunsi, represented by the Consultant to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr. Hendrix Odigie, stated that it is essential to widen the knowledge of Statisticians and Planners, in line with modern-day standards of data gathering and collection.

  Odunsi affirmed that OGSTEP in partnership with relevant agencies of government had drawn and produced a master plan for transforming the State's Statistical structure for rapid development and growth of the economy.

Also speaking, the Consultant to the Governor and Statistician-General in the State, Mr. David Alao said the training was part of the steps aimed at transforming the old department of Statistics into a full-fledged Bureau for improved quality service delivery, assuring of stepping it down to other staffers in the Bureau.

Some of the participants at the training, Mr. Anthony Ayodele and Mr. Babajide Akindele commended the State government for the initiative which has greatly exposed them to new technological methods of gathering and analysing data.