Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has charged Permanent Secretaries in the State Public Service to move beyond being custodians of government processes and become drivers of transformation and development.
Odu gave the charge on Tuesday while declaring open a three-day reorientation and capacity-building training programme for Permanent Secretaries in the Rivers State Public Service.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (CIoD), has the theme: “Permanent Secretaries: From Custodians of Process to Drivers of Transformation.”
The Deputy Governor commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his continued support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of the State Public Service, noting that the training would promote professionalism and improve service delivery.
Having previously served as a Permanent Secretary, Odu said she understood the responsibilities and demands of the office, stressing that Permanent Secretaries play a central role in implementing government policies and programmes.
She urged the participants to combine adherence to due process and public service rules with innovation, strategic thinking, accountability and results-oriented leadership.
Odu also called on the Permanent Secretaries to translate the knowledge gained from the training into practical improvements in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
She commended the CIoD for partnering with the Rivers State Government, disclosing that participants would be inducted as members of the institute after completing the programme.
According to her, the induction would provide the participants with opportunities for continuous professional development, networking and exposure to contemporary leadership and governance practices.
Earlier, the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, stressed the importance of continuous capacity building and professional development in enhancing efficiency and effective service delivery.
Brown said the programme was designed to reposition Permanent Secretaries as strategic leaders capable of driving innovation, implementing government policies and delivering measurable results.
She urged the participants to use the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills and embrace contemporary approaches to public administration.
