By: Oluwatobi Aroyehun
The Kwara State Government is set to institutionalise regular training and professional development programmes for auditors and other public servants to keep them abreast of emerging knowledge and strengthen their capacity to deliver effectively on their responsibilities.
The Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Olufunke Mercy Shittu, disclosed this while speaking on the significance of a training programme organised for auditors in the state.
Dr Shittu described the initiative as timely, stressing that the rapid evolution of knowledge and professional practices made continuous training necessary for public servants.
“For me, this is a very timely and important initiative because knowledge is evolving on a daily basis, what was applicable yesterday may not necessarily be applicable today,” she said.
She said the training formed part of a broader commitment by the state government to ensure that its workforce remained professionally competent and equipped to respond to changing demands in the public service.
The Head of Service noted that the training programme was only the beginning of a wider institutionalised approach to professional development, adding that similar programmes would continue to be organised for public servants across ministries and agencies.
“As the Auditor-General rightly stated, this is the first of many; it is certainly not the last,” she said.
According to her, regular capacity-building programmes would help auditors remain up to date, professionally competent and in top form to effectively execute their assignments.
Dr Shittu also disclosed that the Office of the Head of Service was already conducting a separate three-day training programme for planning officers, demonstrating the government’s broader approach to continuous professional development across the civil service.
She said the programme, which had commenced the previous day, would be followed by similar training initiatives for personnel in other ministries.
The Head of Service emphasised that the objective was to ensure that public servants across the state remained adequately equipped to discharge their duties and responsibilities efficiently.
The development comes amid renewed emphasis on professional capacity, accountability and effective public administration in the state.
