The BRACED Commission Strategy Retreat for Heads of Service took place from Wednesday, July 3rd to Friday, July 5th, 2024, at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, Edo State. Themed “Leadership in the Public Sector: Strengthening Public Institutions,” the retreat brought together key public sector leaders from the BRACED states (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta), with the Bayelsa State delegation being led by the Head of Service and several Permanent Secretaries, including the Director of ICT from the Ministry of Communication, Science, and Technology.
Day 1: Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024
The retreat commenced with an e-registration process for participants, followed by a free medical check-up organized by JOOPSA. Health assessments included blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar tests, eye exams, and weight/height measurements, with some participants receiving free eyeglasses.
The official opening ceremony was graced by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki. Governor Obaseki highlighted the transformative reforms in Edo State, particularly the shift from analogue operations to e-governance. He emphasized the importance of treating people well in order to ensure effective governance, encouraging the Heads of Service to learn from one another and utilize technology to strengthen public service across the region.
The first keynote session was led by Professor Tunji Olaopa, Professor of Public Administration and Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Abuja. He discussed strategic leadership in the civil and public service, stressing the need to address leadership challenges by learning from the developmental states of Asia. He advocated for self-motivated, competent, and committed public managers, emphasizing that leadership should be active at all levels of government.
Day 2: Thursday, July 4th, 2024
The day began with the continuation of registration and medical checks, followed by a recap of Day 1. The sessions then kicked off with Dr. Joe Abah, Country Manager of DAI, who delivered a presentation on “Harnessing the Power of Innovation for Public Sector Excellence.” His discussion focused on creativity and innovation within the public sector, presenting strategies for fostering innovation and examples of successful public sector initiatives.
Next, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye CFR, former Head of Service of the Federation, provided a keynote on “The Role of Permanent Secretaries in a Changing Political Dynamic.” He gave an overview of the history of Nigeria’s Civil Service, discussed the need for reform, and reflected on his experience in civil service reforms from 1999 to 2010. Mr. Oronsaye outlined the critical duties of Permanent Secretaries and the importance of preparing for future challenges in governance.
Dr. Anthony Osa Okungbowa, Esq., Head of Service, Edo State, presented the session on “Digitizing the Civil and Public Service in the BRACED Region – The Edo Story.” He shared how Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Obaseki, had successfully implemented digital transformation in public services, making them more citizen-centric, efficient, and responsive. The state’s reforms, particularly in governance and public service delivery, were highlighted as exemplary models of institutional change.
The day concluded with a guided tour of the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development, where participants observed the digitized process for issuing Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O). The tour demonstrated how the use of technology had streamlined processes, reduced costs, and improved efficiency.
A state banquet in honor of the Heads of Service was hosted by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, with the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, representing the Governor. The toast was made by Bayelsa State’s Head of Service, Barr. (Mrs.) Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema.
Day 3: Friday, July 5th, 2024
The final day commenced with the continuation of registration and medical checks. The first session featured a team-building exercise known as the “Marshmallow Challenge,” coordinated by Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu, Director General of JOOPSA. Participants were divided into ten groups to build the tallest tower using spaghetti, masking tape, and thread. The challenge encouraged collaboration and creative problem-solving.
Following the team-building exercise, a brainstorming session was held on how to strengthen public institutions through capacity building. This session, moderated by Ambassador Joe Keshi, Director General of BRACED Commission, led to the development of the “Benin Declaration.” This action plan, which outlines short, medium, and long-term strategies for institutional strengthening in the BRACED states, will serve as a roadmap for public service reforms over the next three years.
The retreat concluded with closing remarks by Ambassador Joe Keshi and a vote of thanks by Barr. Anthony Osa Okungbowa, Ph.D., Head of Service, Edo State.
Conclusion
The BRACED Commission Strategy Retreat for Heads of Service was a resounding success, fostering collaborative discussions and sharing best practices aimed at strengthening public institutions across the BRACED states. The retreat’s focus on leadership, innovation, digital transformation, and capacity building provided valuable insights into the future of public sector governance. The “Benin Declaration” will guide the region’s efforts in reforming and improving public service delivery in the coming years.
