BY RITA OYIBOKA
The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) has lauded the Delta State Government and the Head of Service for their dedication to professional development, describing the state’s commitment to civil service training as “unprecedented in Nigeria.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th edition of the seven-week Senior Staff Training Programme in the state, the Director General of ASCON, Mrs Cecilia Gayya, praised the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration for its continued commitment to the training initiative in the state.
She also lauded the Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, under whose leadership over 1,400 civil servants have benefitted from the programme.
This edition of the programme, which began in August, trained 250 senior civil servants and was organised by the Delta State Government and the office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
According to the ASCON DG, “The success of this programme reflects the support of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who remains committed to enhancing human capacity.
“We deeply appreciate the consistent trust and confidence placed in ASCON, allowing us to continually partner with the Delta State Government in training its workforce. This commitment to staff capacity building is unprecedented and second to none in the country,” she said.
She commended the participants for their exemplary conduct during the intensive seven-week training, noting that 80 per cent rated the programme as excellent in the post-programme evaluation.
In his address, Mr Bayoko praised the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for its commitment to human capacity development, particularly through the ongoing training programmes, highlighting that such initiatives are crucial for enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of the state’s public service.
In his words: “This training has not only prepared participants for higher roles but has also equipped them with modern management tools to meet the growing challenges of public service.
“Exceptional productivity and performance are not just a testament to your (participant’s) commitment but to the collective aspiration to make the Delta State civil service a beacon of excellence.
“Ultimately, our success in public service lies not just in knowledge acquisition but in the tangible impact we make on the lives of the people we serve.”
He further urged the participants to embrace their roles as “custodians of the civil service and architects of a more innovative and responsive system” and to return to their offices with a renewed sense of purpose.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Patrick Ojeblenu, encouraged participants to apply their new skills with integrity and creativity, echoing the Head of Service’s call for a renewed commitment to public service.
In his vote of thanks, the Governor-General of the training, Mr Ivovi Aruoriwo, expressed gratitude to the state government and the Head of Service for the opportunity. He assured that participants would apply their new knowledge in discharging their duties effectively.
