Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged civil and public service leaders in the state to uphold discipline, teamwork and measurable performance, declaring that his administration will be driven strictly by accountability and results.
The governor gave the charge on Tuesday at the opening of a three-day Orientation and Strategic Leadership Retreat for top government officials, held at the Udomi Townhall in Esan Central Local Government Area.
The retreat, themed “High Performing Public Service for Sustainable Development of Edo State,” is the first major leadership retreat organised since the inception of the Okpebholo administration and is aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery.
Governor Okpebholo said the programme was not a social gathering but a deliberate engagement designed for orientation and capacity building of senior government officials.
According to him, the retreat was structured to reposition the administration for effective governance, enhance collaboration across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and deepen understanding of public sector processes.
He stated that the administration is guided by the SHINE Agenda, which he described as a practical governance framework focused on delivering tangible results to Edo people.
The governor stressed that good governance requires collective responsibility, noting that no ministry or appointee can succeed in isolation.
He warned public office holders against using their positions for personal gain, emphasising that public service is a call to service and not an avenue for enrichment.
Governor Okpebholo further disclosed that the retreat signalled a new approach to governance in the state, with renewed emphasis on discipline, performance monitoring and accountability, adding that the performance of appointees would now be assessed based on measurable outcomes.
He urged participants to take the retreat seriously, engage actively in discussions and remain committed to delivering quality governance to the people of the state.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the philosophy behind the retreat was anchored on the belief that Edo State’s development must be driven by its people. He also made a presentation on Project S.H.I.N.E, the strategic blueprint for the state’s transformation under the Okpebholo administration.
In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okhungbowa, expressed optimism that the retreat would enhance leadership capacity and improve service delivery across the state.
Participants at the retreat include commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and heads of ministries, departments and agencies.