The Delta State Government has commenced the 9th Edition of the Inter-Cadre/Inter-Service Transfer Training Programme and Aptitude Test for officers in the State Public Service, reaffirming its commitment to professional development, meritocracy and the continuous strengthening of the state’s workforce.
The seven-day programme, organised by the Office of the Head of Service, commenced on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Association of Senior Civil Servants, along Mariam Babangida Way, Asaba, with senior government officials, members of the Civil Service Commission, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, guest lecturers and shortlisted participants in attendance.
Declaring the programme open, the Delta State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, described the exercise as more than a routine administrative programme, saying it represented an important component of the state government’s broader effort to build a professional, innovative and highly competent Civil Service.
Oseji said the programme provided an opportunity for officers who had demonstrated commitment to professional and personal advancement through the acquisition of higher qualifications to translate their academic achievements into greater responsibilities and improved service to the people of Delta State.
According to her, the ambition of officers to advance their careers must be anchored on the ethos of excellence, professionalism and service, stressing that the pursuit of higher qualifications should ultimately translate into improved contributions to the development of the state.
She said the Inter-Cadre Transfer Policy remained one of the pillars of the state’s commitment to professional growth and meritocracy, as it provides opportunities for officers, irrespective of their entry points into the Public Service, to aspire to higher positions based on hard work, competence and academic attainment.
The Head of Service noted that the policy had helped to create an environment in which learning, innovation and professional development were encouraged and rewarded.
She said the initiative had contributed significantly to the transformation of the Delta State Civil Service into a more efficient and responsive institution capable of supporting the government’s socio-economic development agenda.
Oseji explained that the policy had facilitated the emergence of a better-trained and more competent workforce, adding that its impact could be seen in the capacity of the Public Service to deliver effectively on its responsibilities to the people.
“The policy does not merely open doors; it invites the brightest minds to step forward and shape the future of our Civil Service,” she said.
She further urged participants to approach the training and aptitude test with seriousness, describing the exercise as a gateway to greater responsibilities rather than merely another career examination.
According to her, success in the programme would not only demonstrate academic ability but also reflect the participants’ readiness to take on greater responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the development of Delta State.
Oseji urged the participants to study diligently, engage meaningfully with the programme and remain focused on their career aspirations, while challenging them to uphold the values of excellence and professionalism.
She also expressed appreciation to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, for creating an enabling environment for the programme to thrive.
The Head of Service commended the Governor for his commitment to the welfare and professional development of civil servants, noting that the provision of resources for programmes such as the Inter-Cadre Transfer Training demonstrated the administration’s recognition of the importance of a motivated workforce to effective governance.
She also commended the Delta State Civil Service Commission for its role in implementing the Inter-Cadre Transfer Policy, particularly its commitment to fairness, transparency and consistency.
Oseji said the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Service and the Civil Service Commission had strengthened confidence in the process and contributed to sustaining professionalism within the Public Service.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Charity Igho Babigha-Ehimen, said the programme was designed specifically for shortlisted officers who had acquired superior qualifications and were seeking conversion to higher officers’ and Assistant Cadres or professionalisation in the Service.
Babigha-Ehimen said the initiative was also an important response to the need to bridge personnel gaps in the state Public Service by ensuring that suitably qualified officers were given opportunities to move into areas where their skills and qualifications could be better deployed.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Oborevwori and the Head of Service for their support towards the implementation of the transfer policy, noting that the programme would not have been possible without the necessary approvals and funding.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that, as with previous editions, the current exercise would run for seven days and comprise lectures and examinations in 10 courses.
She explained that the academic component would subsequently be followed by an oral interview and screening of participants’ credentials to determine their suitability for their intended areas of transfer.
Babigha-Ehimen urged participants not to regard the examination as a threat, but rather as an evaluation mechanism designed to determine their readiness and competence for advancement into higher cadres within the State Public Service.
She encouraged the participants to be studious, diligent and committed throughout the programme, expressing confidence that they would emerge adequately prepared to confront the responsibilities and challenges associated with their new cadres.
The programme is expected to provide participating officers with the requisite knowledge and skills while also enabling the state government to identify and deploy qualified personnel more effectively across its various ministries, departments and agencies.
The Inter-Cadre Transfer initiative therefore represents an important link between career progression and institutional capacity, as officers are given opportunities to align their acquired qualifications and professional interests with the manpower needs of the state.
The exercise also underscores the Delta State Government’s continuing emphasis on human capital development as a critical component of efficient and responsive public administration.
At the opening ceremony, participants were charged to see their professional advancement not merely as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to assume greater responsibilities and contribute more effectively to the delivery of quality public service.
Declaring the 9th Edition formally open, Dr. Oseji called on all participants to embrace the opportunity with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that the ultimate objective of the exercise was to build a Civil Service that prioritises excellence, nurtures innovation and delivers effectively on its mandate to the people of Delta State.
