The Commissioner for Capacity Development and Training, Prof. Patrick Tedela has charged Confidential Secretaries and Secretarial Assistants in the Ekiti State Public Service to embrace professionalism, innovation, confidentiality and modern office practices to enhance organisational performance and service delivery.
Tedela gave the charge on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day capacity-building programme for the officers with the theme: “Enhancing Organisational Performance through Professional Excellence, Innovation and Service Delivery.”
He said the programme reflected the commitment of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration to continuous capacity development and professional growth of public servants.
The Commissioner described human capital as critical to achieving organisational goals, noting that Confidential Secretaries and Secretarial Assistants occupy a strategic position in the effective functioning of government offices.
He described them as the “lifewire and image-makers” of their offices whose efficiency, discretion, courtesy and professional conduct could significantly influence the image and performance of government establishments.
Tedela said the training was designed to equip participants with relevant skills to function effectively in an increasingly digitalised work environment, particularly in modern office practices, communication, records management, confidentiality and professionalism.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Service Matters, Mrs. Janet Ajibola, emphasised the importance of networking among secretaries, integrity and commitment to excellent service delivery.
She urged the participants to use the knowledge gained from the training to improve operations in their respective offices, stressing that integrity and confidentiality remained critical to the duties of Confidential Secretaries.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Bukola Ogunlade, charged the participants to maintain diligence and confidentiality in the discharge of their responsibilities.
She urged them to remain abreast of emerging trends, particularly in technology and modern office administration, to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Capacity Development and Training, Mr. Bamidele Arowosola, said training and retraining were essential to ensuring efficient performance and effective service delivery in the Public Service.
He noted that the Governor’s approval of the programme demonstrated the administration’s priority for continuous capacity development of public servants.
Arowosola described the participation of the selected officers as a rare privilege and urged them to pay keen attention to the lectures, interact with the facilitators and maximise the opportunity to upscale their knowledge and professional competence.
Some of the participants commended the State Government and the Ministry of Capacity Development and Training for organising the programme, describing it as timely and beneficial.
They pledged to leverage the knowledge and skills acquired to widen their professional horizons, improve their efficiency and perform optimally in their respective duties.