Ogun HOS Lauds Gov Abiodun On Public Service Digital Transformation

Ogun State has embraced technology as a key driver of development and has readily positioned itself as a model for sub-national digital transformation in Nigeria. 

The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya who  made the assertion when he declared open a 2- day Executive Strategic Retreat on AI Leadership and Digital Transformation, put together by the State Government in partnership with GFA Technologies and supported by the United States Consulate General, for top echelons in the Civil/Public Service thanked the State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun for championing such innovation. 

Speaking at the event held at the Tech hub, Kobape road, Abeokuta, the Head of Service described Prince Abiodunas a forward looking Governor making giant strides in the overall developmentof the State ,pointingout that 

" The administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun places importance on innovation and digital transformation, which is at the centre of his governance, as evident in many forward looking initiatives that are redefining Civil/Public Service delivery in the State"

He said the vision of the State to use AI as a driven platform in critical sectors demonstrates a clear policy direction towards modernization, as government has consistently invested in systems that enhance efficiency and accountability. 

"This retreat is a direct product of that vision as it reflects a leadership that understands the urgency of adapting to global technological shifts and also reflects confidence in the capacity of the Civil Service to evolve. We deeply acknowledge this support and recognize the responsibility it places on us to deliver results", Mr. Onasanya said. 

He reminded the participants of the necessity of realising the realities of the current operational environment with honesty by identifying barriers to efficiency that includes delays in file movement, inefficiencies in memo processing and the challenge of accessing reliable data for decision making among others. 

Mr. Onasanya said a modern government cannot continue to rely on fragmented systems in an era defined by integration and automation as demands of the time require tools that match the complexity of governance, hence, the designing of the retreat to provide solutions to the identified challenges in the day to day operations of the participants. 

He enumerated some bold steps the State has taken in the direction of AI applications such as the launch of the Ogun Learning  Enhancement and Academic Resource Network known as OgunLearn, the introduction of AI enabled lesson planning tools and digital learning management systems within the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the development of Ogun State Spatial Data Infrastructure that provides a centralised platform for managing and sharing geospatial data across MDAs thus, improving coordination and transparency amongst other things. 

The Head of Service urged the participants, comprising Permanent Secretaries, Accountant General, Auditors General, Director General, Principals General, Headmasters General as well as Chief Medical Director, amongst others to champion the expected innovation and remove institutional barriers by creating enabling environment where new ideas can thrive by participating actively in the training, engage constructively, share experience and approach the retreat with openness to new ideas. 

On his part, the Convener and the Chief Executive Officer, GFA Technologies, Mr. Adebola Omololu in his welcome address said the top government functionaries are attending the retreat to build solutions that would help all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government in Ogun State to improve their operations and shore up their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). 

Mr. Omololu showered encomium on the State for being the best among equals in terms of its promptness, high level of seriousness, organisation and preparedness to learn new innovations, and  added that their attitudes even before the event was amazing, thus, highly impressed with the  State's performance.

Adding his voice, a partner on behalf of the American Consulate, Mr. Tunji Oke, said the training venue, the American Corner was established to strengthen partnership and leadership, provide AI innovation and specialisation.

In separate interviews, participants including  Permanent Secretaries from the Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, Hospitals Management Board (HMB), Dr. Olayinka Elemide, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Olusegun Olaotan and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, Engr. Kehinde Akintomide appreciated the State Government and the partners for putting the training together as it would improve their day to day activities, especially in terms of revenue generation and blockage of leakages.

Other participants, the CMD, OOUTH, Dr. Olubunmi Fatungase, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mrs. Feyisara Bolarinwa-Adebowale as well as the Principal General, Egba Division, Mr. Oluseye Ige, said the training gave them another good opportunity to leverage on good service delivery in terms of data collection, collation and analysis, as it will help improve on existing e-platforms of all the MDAs.