In a move to boost public sector performance and promote a culture of excellence in governance, the Rivers State Administrator, in partnership with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), has commenced a four-day Transformational Leadership Training workshop for senior civil servants in the state.
The workshop, which kicked off on Monday, in Port Harcourt, is tailored to equip Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, Heads of Local Government Administration, and Directors of Ministries with the tools, skills, and knowledge required for effective service delivery.
Declaring the workshop open, the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, emphasized that the training is a deliberate step towards strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the productivity of civil servants.
“This training is designed to equip you with the tools and insight necessary to lead through complexity, champion reforms, strengthen local government autonomy and deliver meaningful results to our communities,” he stated.
He urged participants to embrace the programme with open minds and a firm resolve to apply the knowledge gained.
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“Only regular training can combat the ills of stagnancy, offering lifelong experiences that enable workers to adapt, grow, and ensure real transformation in governance,” he added.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to effective governance, Vice Admiral Ibas said, “We are laying the foundation for a good governance culture, one that will serve, not just present generation but those coming behind us. That is how great societies are built.”
Speaking at the event, Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, described the theme of the workshop—“Transformational Leadership for Sustainable Development”—as timely, given the evolving demands of governance.
“This course is meticulously designed to bridge leadership gaps and equip participants with contemporary strategies for collaborative governance,” Prof. Omotayo said.
He praised the Rivers State Government for prioritising human capital development, stating that sustainable economic growth, infrastructural renewal, and social development all require strong leadership at every level.
The workshop continues throughout the week, with expert-led sessions expected to stimulate innovation and reform-oriented thinking among the state’s top civil servants.
