• Urged discipline, collaboration
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
Public officer holders in Edo State have been charged to be alive to the responsibility of delivering service for the benefit of the people, and not self profiteering.
The State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo gave the charge during the opening ceremony of a 3-day Orientation and Strategic Leadership Retreat for top government officials at Udomi Townhall in Esan Central Local Government Area.
Civil and public service leaders in the State must embrace discipline, teamwork and measurable results, Okpebholo charged declaring; that his administration is driven strictly by performance and accountability.
This was made known in a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Ebhojele PhD and circulated amongst journalists in Benin.
The Governor warned appointees against using public office for personal enrichment, stressing that service must remain the guiding principle of leadership, Ebojele disclosed.
“I want to repeat my warning to you… public office is a call to service, and not for profit-making or personal gain.
“Every naira we spend must deliver value and every policy must produce measurable results.”
The retreat, themed “High Performing Public Service for Sustainable Development of Edo State,” is the first of its kind since the beginning of his administration.
According to Governor Okpebholo the gathering was not a social event but a serious engagement aimed at strengthening governance in the State.
“We are gathered here today not for a jamboree, but for a purpose. This retreat is designed to serve dual purposes; orientation and capacity building for top government officials,” Ebojele quoted the Governor to have stated.
He explained that the programme was structured to reposition the administration for effective service delivery, strengthen collaboration across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and deepen understanding of governance processes.
“Our administration is driven by a clear vision of the SHINE Agenda. This vision is practical governance that delivers positive results.”
He emphasised that good governance requires collective responsibility, adding that no ministry or appointee can succeed in isolation.
“Good governance is teamwork, and no single appointee or agency can succeed in isolation. We must work as a team and strengthen collaboration across MDAs.”
Further he asserts; the retreat marks a fresh beginning in the way Edo State Government will be run, with renewed emphasis on discipline, accountability and performance monitoring.
“Your performance will be measured. Tangible results and excellence will now determine your status in this administration.
“I charge you to participate actively, think boldly, and commit fully to the collective success of this administration. Edo people are watching, and they deserve nothing less than excellence,” the Governor declared.
SSG address
SSG Musa Ikhilor
Addressing the gathering earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq. revealed, the major philosophy behind the retreat; “Edo is building Edo!”
He stressed that the transformation of the State must be driven by Edo people themselves.
Musa also delivered a presentation on Project S.H.I.N.E, the official framework and strategic blueprint for Edo State’s transformation under the Okpebholo’s administration.
Welcoming the participants, the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okhungbowa, Esq., expressed optimism that the retreat would strengthen leadership capacity and improve service delivery across the State.
Participants at the retreat include Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
