By Shulamite Owhoekevbo
The 21st edition of the Delta State Seven-Weekend Senior Management Training Programme has successfully concluded in Asaba.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, stated that the programme was designed to equip senior officers with contemporary management concepts, practical knowledge, and leadership skills required to deliver efficient, effective, and high-quality public service.
Dr. Oseji urged participants to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during the training into tangible improvements in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), noting that such application would enhance service delivery and positively impact the lives of citizens across Delta State.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his consistent support for capacity building and staff development within the civil service. The Head of Service also commended the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and the Delta State Civil Service Commission for their partnership and collaboration in the successful implementation of the programme.
Dr. Oseji further disclosed that arrangements had been made for officers designated as monitors to visit MDAs to assess the impact of the training on participants and the workforce. According to her, this initiative would serve as a structured framework for evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes of the Seven-Weekend Training Programme.
Earlier, the Director-General of ASCON, Dr. Funke Adepoju, applauded the participants for their dedication and commitment throughout the programme. She encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to enhance productivity, leadership, and service delivery within the public sector. Dr. Adepoju also commended Governor Oborevwori and Dr. Oseji for their strong commitment to human capital development and exemplary leadership in Delta State.
The course participants, led by the Governor-General of the Course, Engineer Ikechukwu Collins—who also served as Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee—presented their communiqué at the event. In it, they lauded the Governor and the Head of Service for their unwavering commitment to sustaining the vital training programme.
However, the participants identified key areas for improvement to enhance the effectiveness of future editions. These include:
Further review of the training modules with a view to reducing their number;
Spreading the examination component to allow participants adequate time for preparation; and
Introducing virtual learning options, including the conduct of online examinations.
In recognition of exemplary punctuality, Mrs. Omeru Akwara Anne, a Chief Scientific Officer in the Ministry of Health, received a cash prize of ₦10,000 from the Head of Service for arriving at the venue of the closing ceremony as early as 7:45 a.m.
The gesture underscored the Head of Service’s unwavering commitment to promoting a culture of timeliness and professionalism within the Delta State Public Service.
A total of 200 participants drawn from various ministries took part in the 2025 edition of the programme, which was formally brought to a close on Friday, December 12.