The Oyo State Government has reiterated that it will not relent on the premium placed on training and re-training of Public and Civil Servants, as a two-day Human Capacity Building workshop was organised, titled, “Building a Sustainable Human Resources Development System,” also called EVER READY SCHEME, for 35 workers, at Simeon Adebo Staff Development Center, recently.
The training was organized by the Ministry of Establishments and Training, in collaboration with Development Advocacy and Value Renaissance Initiative (DAVRI).
It was designed to train the trainers using a certified sampling system across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Professor Saliu AbdulWaheed Adelabu, reaffirmed the government commitment to improving workers’ intellectual capacity. He noted that retirees are also in the training opportunities, particularly on “Life After Retirement.”
According to Professor Adelabu, civil servants are the assets who ensure the success of both the political and civil office holders. He stressed that every worker needs to undergo a mindset change by engaging in a self-sponsored training, including the online workshop that can be accessed with ease.
The Commissioner further stated that the workshop is certified, and the certificates are valid anywhere in the world.
Addressing the alleged 10% gratuity fraud, Professor Adelabu described the claim as false.
“People think everyone working in the ministry is either a thief or corrupt, including the Commissioner. They mentioned 10% and 5%, but many people do not substantiate their claim. But to the glory of God, with what is being released, there is transparency and accountability about the payment of gratuity.”
He explained, “What happened was that for a long time people who retired as far back as 2008 were unable to get their gratuity. We started cleaning the register up to 2014. But the God-sent Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde when he realized that his tenure liabilities were accumulating, we had to go back to Omituntun 1.0 now. The beauty of it is that he has assured all retirees in the state that he will not owe a dime by the expiration of his tenure. So we should support him in prayer.”
The Commissioner advised participants to take the training seriously and look forward to more.
“The participants should look forward to the subsequent ones because the programme is designed to be continuous. It is the only way to improve Human Capital Development among those in strategic positions and high-cadre officers, who in turn will mentor the junior staff.”
In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments and Training, Mr Alade Bello, described the training as a wake-up call to all civil servants. He charged participants to rise to any challenge that may arise in the cause of discharging their duties so as to keep the office relevant.
The Head of Operation,
Development Advocacy and Value Renaissance Initiative (DAVRI, Dr. Adebimpe Aderounmu, stated that Human Capital Development is non-negotiable. He advised the government to re-address, review, restructure and activate development, assuring that it brings more honour, productivity and enhanced government performance.