A hundred and ninety-eight Civil Servants in Delta State at the threshold of Salary Grade level 15 have commenced the compulsory seven weekend course for Senior Management staff of the State Civil Service with a call on participants to exhibit uncommon devotion beyond their normal call of duties for the collective good of the State.
The State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko mni, who declared open the 16th edition of the Seven-Weekend Course on Friday at Asaba, the Delta State Capital, said the course was consciously designed to build a highly aware and diverse crop of superior Civil Servants with varied multi-skill sets and superior leadership qualities.
Mr. Bayoko while highlighting some of the advantages of the programme to participants, disclosed that the course was expected to place them in a vantage position that would enable the officers provide the needed leadership required in advancing the core values the civil service was known for.
The Head of Service who paid glowing tributes on the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his firm and dogged support toward the continuous and successful organization of the programme on a yearly basis, expressed optimism that participants will emerged from the seven weekend course with vigour and a vibrant knowledge base that will enable them confront and surmount evolving challenges facing the Service especially in the context of a complex and modern global environment.
He also acknowledged the Governor for demonstrating excellent leadership qualities in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic in the State and charged civil servants particularly those in the senior leadership cadre to show exceptional loyalty and exemplary dedication to their responsibilities.
“The programme provides a platform for you as Senior Management staff to brainstorm and interact positively on various ways of improving productivity and enhanced service delivery” Mr. Bayoko said.
He used the occasion to remind civil servants in the State of the seven pillars and principles of public office which he listed to include selflessness, integrity, objectivity and accountability.
Others include openness, honesty and leadership while he admonished public servants to imbibe these principles even as he took the participants on a voyage of a well-researched, buoyant and captivating leadership lecture which he said was conceptualized to stimulate the minds of the officers.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Administrative College of Nigeria, ASCON, Mrs. Cecilia Gayya while commending the Delta State Government for sustaining the programme for the past 15 years stated that the course was aimed at preparing participants for higher responsibilities and performance as well as equip them with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude for effective performance on their job.
The D-G who was represented by Mr. Goodluck Audu enjoined participants to make good use of the opportunity offered to them, given the high premium placed on the programme by the Delta State Government and commended the Head of service for commissioning ASCON to conduct the training.