Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has emphasized on the need for working in harmony amongst the Civil Servants and political office holders for better results.
The Governor disclosed this during the opening of a two-day retreat for public servants and political office holders organised by the Taraba State Government under the Office of the Head of Service, held at the C2C Hall, Jalingo.
The Theme for the retreat was: “Taraba State, the Way Forward in a Globalising World.”
The governor re-echoed his election promise which was the mantra of Moving Taraba Forward.
He said, “As you know, when I came in , I came with the mantra of Moving Taraba Forward.
“We are moving forward with many fronts in a globalising world. So there are issues, there are certain things we need to address.”
He pointed out that the retreat was very important,
“As I said, is important for us and it will help us to be able to work out our strategy at this moment and to reflect on our roles as public servants and political holders, so that we will be able to shape the future of our state.
“We live in an era marked by. rapid changes where globalization continues to redefine boundaries, economies and expectations of governance.
“In such a dynamic environment, it is imperative that we as leaders and custodians of public trust equip ourselves with the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to navigate these challenges opportunities that come with them,” he said.
Kefas expressed his delight on the quality and integrity of the resource persons who has started guiding the participants and hoped they would continue to guide them in the retreat by bringing their wealth of experience to bear as they continue to learn.
Acknowledging the ability of the resource persons, Gov Kefas described one of them ,Mr. Kanu Agabi SAN, as
a man of deep wisdom.
“He is also full of experience and as he has always said that experience is the best teacher. So, we will continue to learn from his experience both in politics and in the legal profession.
“He also has commitment to the ideas of justice and good governance. He kept emphasising on good governance, good governance, good governance,” said governor.
Gov Kefas, however, warned participants to avoid looting of government money.
“Even if you take the whole money in the government, you will still leave everything in the world.
“I am yet to see anybody that died and left with all the things they have taken from anywhere. So whatever we are doing, we are strangers in this world.
“The way we came, that is how we will leave. But the most important thing is the legacy we are going to leave behind.
“So please, during this time of retreat, it is a moment for us to think, look back to things we have done and see how we can move forward in a positive direction. So that Taraba State will continue to be a place where everyone will want to belong,” he said.
He encouraged participants to be engaged fully in the discussion and workshop over this period that we have.
“At least we’ve started today, tomorrow we are going to finish.
“So take time to interact with each other because we have the civil servants here, permanent secretaries, directors with you Commissioners that are here and the legislature.
“We need to work together, we need to work in harmony, so that we will make governance easy and then give the people what they deserve.
“This is an opportunity to think critically about our current strategies to share ideas.
“Most times, as somebody in leadership position, you go to a place, you will move with compassion on what the people are facing and you will issue an order, and executive order there.
“It is the responsibility of the staff, the civil servant to pick such statement.
“When I speak, you have to translate that into action. You have to translate it into something that will affect the people positively.
“So, we are to also share ideas and to build a collective vision for how Taraba State can thrive in the global landscape.
“Let us approach this retreat with open mind and commitment to excellence, knowing that the progress we achieve here will have a lasting impact on the lives of our people.
“Therefore, as we embark on this journey together, I urge you to remain focused on the principles of integrity, accountability and service.
“Let us not creat more problem in the system. I know, when I came in, I met a lot of welfare issues where running cost was not there, where it was difficult to even run the office,” he said.
Earlier, the Taraba State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Paul Maigida Tino, appreciated Governor,Dr. Agbu Kefas for having the training of civil servants at heart.
“The Governor, on assumption of Office on 29th May 2024, with patriotic zeal to instill discipline and enhance the capacity building of the state Public Servants and Political Office holders, organise a retreat at Army Resource Center, Abuja.
“This is the second of its kind holding in Jalingo, the state capital. I have no doubt that this will add value to the service.
“The Public Servants and Political Office holders are very critical tools through which dividends of democracy are delivered to electorates,” said Tino.
He further appreciated the Governor for the prompt release of funds for the Retreat through the Department of Manpower Development and Training in the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
He commended the Resource person, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) for accepting the invitation to impact knowledge and skills based on the participants.
Tino further said, “You will agree with me that the relationship between the three arms of government in the state is cordial through the Governor.
“As stakeholders, we are aware of our roles and responsibilities, let us demonstrate a strong commitment to actualize government’s initiatives to inculcate an efficient, productive, and incorruptible culture in the public service.
“We are entrenching a culture of paradigm shift in Taraba State Government which is aimed at motivating the productivity workforce and to restore work ethics so as to take the service to an enviable height.
“I hope this Retreat is a huge investment which will build the capacity of the partispants to achieve an enduring and sustainable transformation in the state,” he said.