Coordinator Office of the First Lady Visits JOOPSA, Emphasizes Training, Capacity Building for Civil and Public Servants
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By Adesuwa Ehimuan
Benin City, Edo State
21st February, 2025
During a courtesy visit to the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, commended Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for his commitment to revitalizing the Edo State civil and public service through enhanced training and retraining programs.
In a meeting with Director General Mrs. Gina Otamere, Mrs. Anani lauded the academy’s role in championing professional development across the civil service. “It is good to see the work you do at JOOPSA. Your professionalism and dedication are truly commendable,” she remarked, acknowledging Mrs. Otamere’s journey from civil service to leadership.
Mrs. Anani also highlighted the Governor’s efforts to extend opportunities to Edo citizens, noting that the current administration is focused on building local capacity. “In the past, we saw outsiders and consultants filling roles that should belong to our own people. Today, thanks to the Governor’s vision, we are reclaiming those roles and building a more efficient, self-reliant workforce,” she said.
Emphasizing the administration’s policy of investing in local talent, Mrs. Anani stated, “Your task is to revive the civil service—through training and retraining—to create a more productive, efficient, and hardworking team. I thank the Governor for believing in our people and for his commitment to ensuring that Edo State is truly for the Edo people.”
Mrs. Otamere expressed her gratitude for the visit and reiterated her commitment to the Governor’s policy. “At JOOPSA, our primary mandate is capacity building. We are focused on developing functional skills across the civil and public service so that our staff can perform their roles effectively. In line with the Governor’s directive, we will no longer rely on consultants but will build a self-sufficient workforce,” she said.
The visit underscores the administration’s strategic emphasis on training and capacity building as key drivers for enhancing the performance of Edo State’s civil and public service sectors.
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