The Abia Government has said that it is putting measures in place toward building a competent workforce through effective capacity building programmes.
The State Head of Service (HOS), Dr Ngozi Obioma, said this at a seminar organised by the state Sports Council in Umuahia.
The theme of the event is, “The roles and expectations of Abia State Sports Council in sustaining the present developmental strides in sports in Abia.”
Obioma described workforce capacity building as a vital aspect of organisational growth as evidence had shown that it improves workforce performance and productivity.
“The government is committed to generating a workforce that is competent, professional, willing and dedicated,” she said.
She commended the council for organising the training and bringing honour to the state through its achievements in national and international sports competitions.
According to her, the training aligns with the vision of the present administration to reform the Abia workforce and rebuild the state.
“A few months ago, we had an interaction with Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the need to set up regular trainings for the Abia workforce.
“I am happy that some MDAs are sustaining the tempo by creating the opportunity to equip workers with relevant information,” the HOS said.
She also said that the event had showcased the willingness of civil servants to improve their skills in order to enhance their productivity and contribute to the growth of the state.
She urged the council to make the seminar regular, inclusive and participatory to facilitate adequate feedback.
In a speech, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Nwobilor Ananaba, described training as a vital tool for promoting professionalism.
Ananaba, represented by Mr Eric Asomugha, said that the seminar would put the workers back on track and remind them of their job roles and the expectations of the public from them.
“As an organisation grows and its staff strength increases, it becomes pertinent to organise training for its staff to reaffirm its mission and vision, and set new goals,” Ananaba said.
Also, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, said that “sports is a $12 billion industry in Africa”, with the potential of hitting $30 billion in 2035.
Ekeke, represented by Mr Raymond Ukwa, urged the staff members of the council to stop thinking as civil servants and begin to think as businessmen and women.
He expressed the resolve of the government to invest more resources in the sports sector and urged the participants to align themselves with the government’s agenda.
“We need your contributions and the things that you see at the grassroots to enable us to achieve our goal.
“We as a sports council need to capitalise on things that would help us make impact on our rural communities
“We must take cognisance of the passion we have as individuals that are in sports to drive the most needed change in the sector,” Ekeke said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, emphasised the need for workers to apply honesty, transparency and discipline in all job roles.
Anokwuru said that the seminar would foster effective governance and promote the overall development of sports in the state.
Earlier, the State Director of Sports, Mr George Obioma, said that the seminar was organised to sustain the present developmental strides in sports.
Obioma described the event as part of the council’s agenda to redefine sports and complement the government’s efforts to boost sports development in the state.
“We are intentional about sustaining the state’s numerous achievements and successes that have been recorded in the sports sector,” he said.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the participants described the seminar as rewarding and capable of motivating them to become more productive.
Nnenna Ukonu said that the exercise helped to broaden their knowledge as sports administrators.
Another participant, Mr Theophilus Sunday, said that it provided brainstorming sessions for them to come up with innovative ideas on ways to improve their performances. (NAN)
