The Ogun State Government has once again reiterated that a productive and result oriented Civil/Public Service cannot be achieved without sustained and impactful training and knowledge acquisition programmes aimed at enhancing quality service delivery.

The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya made this known while declaring open a strategic retreat for Management Staff and Deputy Directors put together by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with the theme "Leading with Purpose: Enhancing Local Governance and Traditional Institution's Administration", held at the BLFA Hotel, Ikenne Remo, Ogun State.

According to him, government has continued to invest in regular and structured capacity building initiatives across all cadres of the Service, including Management and Accounting Officers, which is a clear demonstration of government's stern commitment in the regard of human capital development.

"It is worthy to note that our little efforts and contributions on our duty post, especially in management capacity will go a long way to positively impact the general performance of the Ministry and the State Administration at large. As leaders in various management capacities, you constitute a part of the driving force upon which the Ministry is rested and the outcome at the end is a factor of our outstanding capabilities as prime movers. Also, it will be apt to stress the importance of cooperation and collaboration of everyone for the attainment of the Ministry's goals, thereby culminating in the enhanced imagery of the Civil Service in the State", he said.

While commending the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for working in tandem with the agenda of the State Government by organizing the retreat, the Head of Service urged the participants to take full advantage of programme to update themselves, as he is convinced that it would translate into efficient service delivery on their individual desks.

"I enjoin you all not to rest on your oars at sustaining the Civil Service of Ogun State as a beacon of emulation and an enviable standard amongst its peers across the federation", he charged.

In his opening remarks, the Commissioner in the Ministry, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, said the theme of the retreat is both instructive and anticipatory, as it calls attention to the need for intentional, futuristic and value driven leadership, capable of transforming the bi-polar institutions on the delivery of efficient service to the people.

Hon. Hamzat urged the participants to approach the retreat with a mindset that recognises the all-encompassing nature of their responsibilities beyond routine administration, as they are entrusted with the delicate, yet, critical task of engaging traditional institutions towards preserving the cultural heritage and to ensure that issues relating to succession and dispute resolution on chieftaincy matters are handled with wisdom, fariness and due regard to established laws and customs.

"This retreat is designed to deepen understanding in critical areas, strengthen capacity for purpose driven leadership and expected to gain fresh insights, exchange ideas and develop practical strategies that will enhance effectiveness as managers and leaders in the Ministry", the Commissioner said.

He appreciated the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his unflinching support to the Ministry and acknowledged the unwavering commitment, dedication and invaluable contributions of the Management Staff of the Ministry to the growth and development of the Local Government system and effective administration of chieftaincy matters across the State.

In separate goodwill messages, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Rasak Daddah and the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Engr. Olanike Ogunbona, congratulated the Ministry and the participants for making the retreat a reality and the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for creating an enabling environment as well as approval to organize the all-important retreat and urged the team not to allow the efforts of the retreat go into unprofitable ground but utilise it for the development of the State.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi appreciated all the stakeholders for making the retreat a huge success and tasked the Management members to reciprocate government's huge investment in training and retraining.

Some of the participants, the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Abiodun Akinwunmi, the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Abiola Adesina and the Deputy Director, Administration and Supply, Mrs. Olayinka Lawal said the retreat has given them the opportunity to acquire experiences that can never be bought, as they would cascade such to other members of the Ministry and it would further enhance their capacities as they return to their duty posts.

In a paper titled "Managing Chieftaincy Affairs Pro-actively: Conflict Prevention and Institutional Stability in Ogun State", the immediate past Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun said conflicts cannot be prevented anywhere, as they are bound to occur at anytime but the onus is on all to manage it well in order to achieve institutional goals and well being.