The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to capacity building and continuous professional development as a strategy for enhancing effective public service delivery in the state.
The State Commissioner for Capacity Development and Training, Prof. Patrick Tedela, stated at the opening of a two-day training programme for Social Welfare Officers and other staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Ado-Ekiti.
The training, themed “Enhancing Effective Social Work Practice in the Public Service”, was organised to strengthen the skills and competencies of officers involved in social welfare service delivery.
Tedela said the selection of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the capacity development programme was informed by its critical role in promoting peaceful coexistence within families, communities and society at large.
He expressed confidence that the facilitators’ expertise and the carefully selected topics would address the professional needs of participants and translate into improved service delivery in the state public service.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Olusola Adeluyi-Femi, described social workers as strategic stakeholders in the delivery of social protection services in the state.
Babafemi commended Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for approving the training and appreciated the Ministry of Capacity Development and Training for organising the programme.
Also speaking, the State Head of Service , Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, urged participants to pay rapt attention throughout the training to enable them to effectively discharge their duties in line with core ethical principles of public service.
She highlighted values such as integrity, competence, dignity, self-worth, social balance and the importance of human relationships as essential to effective service delivery.
In her remarks ,the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, encouraged participants to utilise the training to enhance their skills in counselling, advocacy, community development and policy formulation, especially in supporting vulnerable groups.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Capacity Development and Training, Mr Bamidele Arowosola, advised participants to view the programme as an opportunity to deepen their professional knowledge and improve job performance.
Facilitators at the programme expressed optimism that participants would gain better understanding of professional ethics and effective approaches to handling special cases in the course of their duties.
Some participants, including Mrs Anne Olawumi and Mrs Bolanle Asubiojo, said the training would broaden their professional horizons and thanked the state government for the opportunity.
