Edo Developing a Technological Workforce to Provide Innovative Solutions to Societal Problems, says Obaseki

Ugo Aliogo

The Edo State Government has said reforms in the State’s civil service, over the past seven years, are aimed at developing a new generation of workers equipped with the necessary technology and expertise to create and provide innovative solutions to societal challenges.

The government said it is developing a technologically savvy workforce and harnessing the power of technology to enhance performance across all sectors of the State.

The Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa spoke during a Design Sprint Showcase event held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of Human Resources, Mr. George Igberase, the Edo Head of Service reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to establishing functional institutions that are capable and well-empowered to address societal needs.

Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and facilitated by the ACIOE Associates in collaboration with the Edo State Government, the Design Sprint exercise empowered over 150 graduates and officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the State’s civil and public service on the use of digital tools and processes to enhance service delivery.

According to Okungbowa, “The administration of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki from inception set out to revolutionize the traditional way of doing things by focusing on revamping the civil/ public service of the State. One of the cardinal objectives of this goal was to create institutions that work.

“A look down seven years before now shows a period of unprecedented technological growth. The Government did not only embrace technology but adopted technology as a means of carrying out work processes in the service.”

He added, “One of the impacts of this is an improved and technology-driven workforce. Today, we are celebrating the achievements of some of our first officers in the service who now think, breathe, and speak technology. Today the officers will pitch their prototypes to us having gone through rigorous sessions of workshops and field work to identify challenges. They will also propose solutions that can be delivered through technology.”

In his remark, the Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor expressed confidence that the solutions developed during the course of the event would be put to good use, adding that the execution of projects stemming from these solutions would propel both the government and the governed forward.

He noted, “We had this Programme for the last two weeks where civil/public servants in Edo State have been coming together to brainstorm to figure out solutions to some of the problems we have in Government and in our society. They were able to showcase competence and their knowledge in understanding possible solutions.”

Stakeholders from various ministries, departments, agencies, and private partners attended the Design Sprint event. It also garnered participation from top government functionaries, including commissioners, Special Advisers, permanent secretaries, directors, and executive senior staff from different MDAs to discuss potential challenges affecting the State and explore innovative solutions to addressing them.