By Rotimi Feyisina
The Ekiti State Government has reiterated its commitment to prioritising skills enhancement and professional development as key drivers of effective public service delivery in the State.
The Commissioner for Capacity Development and Training, Professor Patrick Tedela, made this known at the opening ceremony of a two-day training programme themed “Enhancing Effective Social Work Practice in the Public Service” organised for Social Welfare Officers and other relevant staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in the Ekiti State Public Service. The programme was held in Ado-Ekiti.
Professor Tedela explained that the selection of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the training was informed by its critical role in fostering peaceful coexistence within families, communities, and the society at large.
He expressed confidence that the expertise of the facilitators and the carefully selected topics would address the specific professional needs of participants and ultimately enhance 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, noted that social workers occupy a strategic position in the delivery of social protection services in Ekiti State. She appreciated the Governor of Ekiti State for approving the training and commended the Ministry of Capacity Development and Training for organising the programme.
Also speaking, the Head of Service, Ekiti State, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, charged participants to pay rapt attention throughout the programme in order to be adequately equipped for effective discharge of their duties and core ethical principles of service delivery, socially balanced environment, dignity and self worth, importance of human relationship as well as integrity and competence.
On her part, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity to enhance their skills in counselling, advocacy, community development, and policy development, particularly in their efforts to support vulnerable groups in the society.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Capacity Development and Training, Mr. Bamidele Arowosola, urged participants to see the training as an avenue to deepen their professional knowledge and improve their on-the-job performance.
Facilitators at the programme expressed optimism that participants would gain better understanding of their rules of engagement and effective approaches to handling special cases in the course of their duties.
Some of the participants, including Mrs Anne Olawumi and Mrs Bolanle Asubiojo expressed optimism that the training would broaden their professional horizons. They appreciated the Ekiti State Government and the Ministry of Capacity Development and Training for providing the opportunity.
