Kwara reaffirms commitment to building virile public service
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a more efficient, innovative, and productive public service with the commencement of the 2026 Productivity Enhancement Training Programme for civil servants.
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Group photograph of participants with the Acting Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunke Mercy Shittu, during the commencement of the 2026 Productivity Enhancement Training Programme for civil servants at the Staff Development College, Ilorin, on Tuesday.
peaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunke Mercy Shittu, described the programme as another significant milestone in the state’s efforts to reposition the public service for greater efficiency, accountability, innovation, and improved service delivery.
Dr. Shittu said the training programme reflects the unwavering commitment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to developing a highly skilled, motivated, and productive workforce capable of meeting the growing expectations of citizens.
She appreciated the Governor for his sustained support for capacity building and public service reforms, describing investment in human resources as an investment in sustainable development.
The Acting Head of Service also commended the organisers, facilitators, and other stakeholders whose dedication made the programme possible.
She noted that productivity remains the engine of national development, stressing that every policy implemented, every file processed, every project supervised, and every service rendered contributes to the growth and prosperity of Kwara State.
According to her, productivity is not achieved by chance but through a commitment to excellence, strategic planning, and purposeful action.
Dr. Shittu urged participants to seize the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, strengthen their professional competencies, promote innovation, improve teamwork, and enhance service delivery.
She emphasized that the true value of the programme would be reflected in measurable improvements across ministries, departments, and agencies.
According to her, today’s public service requires officers who are innovative, adaptable, ethical, digitally competent, and results-oriented, with the capacity to meet citizens’ expectations for transparency, professionalism, accountability, and timely service delivery.
She reminded participants that productivity is not merely about working harder but about working smarter and delivering better results. She described every public servant as a custodian of public trust and urged them to make excellence a daily habit.
Dr. Shittu thereafter formally declared the 2026 Productivity Enhancement Training Programme open, expressing confidence that the initiative would further strengthen a productive, responsive, and citizen-centred public service in Kwara State.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of the Staff Development College, Mrs. Adebayo Victoria Kehinde, expressed profound appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Office of the Head of Service for providing the enabling environment for the College to continue delivering quality capacity-building programmes for civil servants.
She reaffirmed the College’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to build a competent, efficient, and service-oriented workforce.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mr. Abdulganiyy Oyelowo also expressed gratitude to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his continued investment in the development of civil servants through regular training programmes.
He assured the government that participants would maximise the knowledge and skills acquired during the training and apply them to improve productivity and service delivery across the state.
