Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged civil and public sector officials in the state to embrace discipline and teamwork in order to achieve measurable results.
The governor made the call on Monday at the commencement of a three-day leadership retreat and orientation for senior government officials held at the Udomi Townhall in Esan Central Local Government Area. This was contained in a statement released on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele.
The retreat, which is the first of its kind since the inception of the Okpebholo administration, has as its theme, “High Performing Public Service for Sustainable Development of Edo State.”
Governor Okpebholo said the retreat was not a social gathering but a deliberate effort to strengthen governance and improve performance across the public sector.
He stated, “We are gathered here today not for a jamboree, but for a purpose. This retreat is designed to serve two purposes: orientation and capacity building for top government officials.”
“I charge civil and public service leaders in Edo State to embrace discipline and teamwork to achieve measurable results and to let you know that this administration is driven strictly by performance and accountability.”
According to the governor, the programme was designed to deepen understanding of governance processes, foster collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and reposition the administration for efficient service delivery.
“Our administration is driven by a clear vision of the SHINE Agenda. This vision is practical governance that delivers results,” he said.
Okpebholo stressed that no ministry or appointee could succeed in isolation, noting that effective governance requires collective responsibility.
“Good governance is teamwork, and no single appointee or agency can succeed in isolation. We must work as a team and strengthen collaboration across MDAs,” he added.
The governor further cautioned appointees against using public office for personal gain, stressing that service must remain the guiding principle of leadership.
“I want to repeat my warning to you. Public office is a call to service, and not for profit-making or personal gain. Every naira we spend must deliver value and every policy must produce measurable results,” he cautioned.
He described the retreat as a new beginning in the management of Edo State, with renewed emphasis on accountability, discipline and performance assessment.
“Your performance will be measured. Tangible results and excellence will now determine your status in this administration,” Okpebholo declared.
The governor urged participants to take the retreat seriously and remain committed to delivering quality governance to the people of Edo State.
“I charge you to participate actively, think boldly, and commit fully to the collective success of this administration. Edo people are watching, and they deserve nothing less than excellence,” he said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, explained that the retreat was anchored on the principle of “Edo is building Edo,” emphasising the importance of Edo people driving the state’s development. He also delivered a presentation on Project S.H.I.N.E., the administration’s strategic framework for reforming Edo State.
During his welcome speech, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, the Head of Service, expressed hope that the retreat will enhance leadership skills and enhance service delivery throughout the state.
The retreat is being attended by commissioners, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, permanent secretaries and special advisers.
Since assuming office, Governor Okpebholo has embarked on infrastructural projects including the construction of flyovers and major roads, the recovery of school properties and the rehabilitation of abandoned facilities.
The administration has also increased the state’s internally generated revenue from N7 billion to over N11 billion monthly through reforms in the Edo State Internal Revenue Service.
Additionally, the governor recently supervised the distribution of employment letters to 5,000 teachers.
