---GOVERNOR ABIODUN CHARGES NIPSS COURSE GRADUANDS 

Top hierarchy of the  Ogun State Government including Permanent Secretaries, Principals-General, General Managers and other top Managers who were participants at the just concluded workshop at the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (NIPSS-OSKASGOS)have been charged to impact their various MDAs with the gains of the capacity development programme. 

Ogun State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun gave the charge while addressing  participants at the closing ceremony of  the 5-day intensive programme held at the Institute at the Olabisi OnabanjoUniversity, Ago-Iwoye.

According to the Governor who was represented by the State Head of Service,  Mr Kehinde Onasanya,  the NIPSS  course graduands as leaders who have been taught the rudiments of  policy making and implementation,  leadership skills,  emotional intelligence and  mentoring, amongst others.  must return to the basics by cascading it growth of the Civil/Public Service.

Said the Governor " This course is one of many steps we are taking to build a more capable, accountable, and innovative public service. It has been designed to provide you with not only the theoretical frameworks but also practical insights that can be applied in your respective roles."

I  urge you all to embrace the knowledge and skills  you  have garnered  from this training programme and  take these lessons back to your various ministries and parastatals. We must continue to create a public service that is not only functional but visionary—one that meets the dynamic needs of our time and anticipates the challenges",added the Governor 

Prince Abiodun while affirming  that effective leadership is the bedrock of an efficient public administration, pointed out that strategic leadership is more than just making decisions but  having a vision for the future of the public service and the courage to implement changes that will drive progress. 

According to him ," It requires a commitment to ethical governance, the ability to build strong teams, and the capacity to navigate the complexities of government operations while ensuring that we meet the needs of our citizens." 

The Governor expressed the hope that the beneficiaries of the course has a unique perspective and set of experiences that can enrich the government collective decision-making processes while also emphasising  the importance of integrity and accountability in the public service. 

"Our citizens look to us as stewards of public trust, and it is our duty to uphold these values in every decision we make. Transparency in governance enhances public confidence and fosters a culture of respect between the government and its constituents.", he added 

The State  Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, while congratulating the participants urged them to return and lead with vision, be passionate about what they do, manage their domains with ingenuity, empower their subordinates, keep learning and add value to decision making for the betterment of not just their immediate environment but the State and nation at large.

Also speaking ,  the Vice Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, who went down memory lane to espouse how the institute came to being, appreciated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona for taking up the challenge to put the institute in place, the Federal Government for taking it over and the State Government for the support at making the Institute a reality and concluded that the array of the first participants to be trained further confirms that the initiative is worth while.

The Director of the Institute, Prof. Sola Adeyanju during the presentation of certificates congratulated the graduands for the successful completion of the high profile training and charged them to go and keep showing the way as they cannot lead in isolation.