Immediate past President of the World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has said that any leadership not geared towards leaving lasting legacies is not purposeful.
He was delivering a lecture, titled, “Critical Issues in Purposeful Leadership, as Guest Speaker, at the book launch by the Director of Establishments, Labour and Productivity, Victor Okenini in Benin City at the weekend.
The Director General of Dr. Osahon Enabulele Foundation advised the attendees at the event to be visionary, passionate about their work and tolerant of feedbacks and innovative initiatives from their followers.
While emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence, he urged commitment to followers’ welfare and transformational leadership, as he suggested that leaders must carry out “strategic envisioning,” and be able to distinguish themselves with dedication to excellence.
The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa asserted the position of the books launched by the Director of Establishments, Labour and Productivity, Victor Okenini Esq., titled “Reformulating the Policies of the Civil Service” and “Effective Writing for Public Servants and Business Professionals,” as contributions towards practical and good governance in the State.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of Edo Pension Bureau, Mr. Washington Abbe, he said, “Edo like every part of Nigeria had faced issues such as infrastructural decay, educational challenges, healthcare deficits and unemployment. But over the last decade and half, the State has seen significant improvements in many of these areas; changes geared towards reforming the Public Service to become the engine of progressive governance.
“Edo under the present administration of His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has seen a lot of focus on the pragmatism and practicality of good governance. The State enjoys the privilege of having a Governor who can boast of several successes just after 200 days in office. The Governor has initiated series of reforms and projects that underscore the pivotal role of an efficient and accountable public service.
“The Governor is strengthening the institutions of government through trainings by prioritizing the institutionalization of JOOPSA; training the workforce on functional skills which align with their core duties, and this in turn guarantees a better equipped workforce, enhance service delivery to meet the need of the people with utmost professionalism and dedication. By investing in human capital, the administration seeks to build a civil service that is responsible, transparent and accountable to the citizens.”
Unveiling the books, the HOS congratulated the Author, whom he described as the, “Irreplaceable Victor Okenini,” for his valuable contributions to the body of knowledge in the Civil and Public Service of Edo State. He hinted that his books will provide the Civil and Public servants as well as those who are interested in governance and policy making, with a portal into the intricacies of bureaucracies and public administration.
“It is noteworthy to mention that not many people have contributed to the growth and development of Edo State Civil Service in the way that Mr. Okenini has done. I have never seen an administrative officer while still very active in Service, showing ambition and desire to record his knowledge for the present generation and the ones to come. You are a source of inspiration and we are proud of you.
“I reserved special thanks to the Author for not just making these valuable contributions to the Service, but for allowing his work to serve as a platform; bringing together some of our best heads to a round table for a public lecture to help devise ways to move our dear State forward.”
In his address, the Author of the books, Mr. Okenini, appreciated all guests and revealed that his inspiration was from Bible Book of Matthew, chapter five verse fifteen, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.”
Reiterating the importance of contributing one’s quota towards the development of the State, he disclosed that he got into the State Civil Service on merit in August, 1999, following his outstanding performance during his mandatory one-year National Youth Service.
“I could not have been in a better civil service than Edo. I really want to thank the State Governor for this opportunity and my mentor, the Head of Service for his support. The proceeds of these books will be used for more research and publication of more books on Public Service,” he concluded.
The book reviewer, Mr. Edionwe Joel, asserted that the two books would serve as veritable tools in the hands of all public officers.
