Top echelons of the  Ogun State Civil/Public Service have been called upon to continue to hold integrity and accountability in high esteem, lead by examples and live up to expectations as they discharge their statutory duties.

The Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, gave the charge while declaring open a 5-day training on "Strategic Leadership and Management Course"  for Permanent Secretaries, Principals- General, General Managers, Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Auditor Generals, Executive Secretaries, and Heads of Professional Bodies in the State at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (NIPSS-OSKASOGS) Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

According to Prince Abiodun who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako - Oyedele, as citizens look up to these top echelons to uphold the highest standards, they must continue to live by examples and remain faithful to the principles of transparency, responsibility and service.

The governor, while appreciating the dedicated professionals who form the bedrock of the Public Service of the State said the training was promise made and promise kept, that the crop of participants would be the first to be trained at the Institute.

"This training is a reflection of our administration's commitment to strengthening the Public Service as a driver of development and I must commend the organisers of the training particularly the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, for aligning this programme with our vision to position the Ogun State Civil Service as one of the best in the nation", the Governor said.

He appreciated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona for facilitating the establishment of the Institution at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu for approving the school's take-over by the NIPSS and the Leadership of the Institute for equipping the participants with robust and relevant curriculum aimed at making them function effectively at their duty posts.

In his remark, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya acknowledged the Governor for his constant support and strong commitment to the progress of the public service of the Gateway State, pointing out that Prince Abiodun in words and deeds   remained steadfast in his belief that a well equipped, knowledgeable and forward thinking Public Service is the foundation of governance and sustainable development.

" This strategic Leadership and Management Course we are witnessing today is yet another demonstration of the Governor's commitment to capacity building and professional excellence in the State  Public Service, it is a promise made and a promise kept" the HoS said.

Mr Onasanya assured that the invaluable investment of the Governor in the human capital development of the public service of Ogun State will not go down the drain, as the knowledge, insight and the strategic and skills acquired from the training will translate into enhanced governance, improve the efficiency in service delivery and a renewed commitment to the successes of building our future agenda of the administration and added that the impact of the course will resonate across all MDAs in other to reinforce the position of the state as a trailblazer in  public sector excellence in Nigeria.

In his  goodwill messages, the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Bode Agoro described the NIPSS training programme for the  top echelon of officers in Ogun State as pivotal to Public Service development, adding  that the Lagos State Government will key into  it for efficient service delivery.

Mr Agoro who affirmed the visionary steps of Prince Abiodun towards advancing the course of Public/ Civil Service in the State, pointed out that it aligned with the staunch belief of the Babajide Sanwo- Olu's administration in Human Capital Development which would further  strengthen the collaboration of the two  States in general administration 

All other Speakers which include 

the  Chairman, Association of Retired Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Engr. Adeniyi Abiola,  former Head of Service, Princess Iyabo Odulate and the Chairman, Governor's Elders Advisory Council, Chief Oluneye Okuboyejo submitted that good governance is essential for the sustainability of any society and appreciated the Governor for providing quality leadership as it takes a leader with foresight to develop  human capacity for sustainable development 

They applauded the governor for his unwavering commitment by placing huge premium on the welfare of the workers through technologically driven training provided by the NIPPS and urged the participants to learn with an open mind, engage actively, share experiences and adopt innovative strategies that will propel Ogun State civil/ public service to greater heights.

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona,  represented by His daughter,  Princess Adetoun Adetona described the flagging -off of the training programme as a fulfillment of his dream to provide opportunity for leadership development for the growth of the country while the Ebumawe of Ago- Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razak Adenugba described the Awujale  Institute as a great legacy for humanity and thanked  Governor Abiodun for  maximizing the potential for the benefit of the State.

Earlier in their separate addresses, the Director, NIPPS - OSKASOGS , Prof. Sola Adeyanju and the Director General , NIPPS,  Kuru Jos, Prof. Ayodeji Omotayo while recognising the critical roles that leadership and management play in reshaping the society expressed confidence that the training will not only shape the professional journeys of the participants but will also contribute to the realisation of a stronger, more sustainable and more prosperous Ogun State.