The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for comprehensive institutional re-engineering, digital modernisation, and cultural transformation across Nigeria’s public sector to build a civil service capable of meeting modern administrative challenges.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 45th National Council Meeting of the Civil Service Commissions of the Federation, held in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., stressed that public service effectiveness relies on strong institutions, competent personnel, and an unyielding commitment to integrity and accountability.
The Governor highlighted the urgent need to adapt to technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence.
He said, “the theme, ‘Towards a Future-Ready Civil Service: The Role of Institutional Re-Engineering, Reputation Management and Culture Change in the Civil Service Commissions in Nigeria,’ is both timely and essential.
“The civil service is the backbone of government, it translates policies into action and sustains the delivery of public services; its effectiveness therefore depends on strong institutions, competent personnel, and a culture of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
“As technology, particularly artificial intelligence, continues to reshape the world, our civil service must adapt; we must modernise our systems, build relevant skills, and adopt innovative approaches that make public administration more efficient and responsive to citizens.
“This makes the three core pillars of your theme particularly important; we must strengthen institutions, promote merit and fairness, protect the reputation of the service, and build a work culture that rewards diligence, innovation, and productivity.
“We appreciate your choice of Delta State for this important meeting and are pleased to host you, this is because, in Delta State, we recognise that no government can achieve its development goals without a competent and motivated public service.
“Through our M.O.R.E. Agenda, we continue to invest in capacity building, digital transformation, staff welfare, and improved working conditions; we are equally committed to career progression and professional development, recognising that the quality of public service delivery depends largely on the quality and motivation of the workforce.
‘I encourage you to use this meeting to exchange ideas, address common challenges, and develop practical recommendations for strengthening the Civil Service Commissions across the federation; your deliberations should help shape a more efficient, professional, and future-ready civil service.”
Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his hospitality and unbounded patriotism for approving that Delta hosts the meeting.
“Your Excellency, I like to celebrate your incredible strides in infrastructure development in Delta State through the implementation of your MORE Agenda; this has turned out to become a massive infrastructure push that represents a decisive step in modernizing Delta State’s urban landscape and restoring its economic vitality,” Prof. Olaopa stated.
Also speaking, Noble Lady Rosaline Amioku, Chairman, Delta State Civil Service Commission, stated that the event provides opportunities for decision-makers to share ideas and deliberate on how to make the civil service to be more effective.
She thanked Governor Oborevwori for strongly believing in an effective civil service.
