The Progressive Institute (TPI), the official think tank of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has successfully concluded a three-day capacity-building retreat on public sector governance for principal officers of the 27 local government areas in Imo State.
The training brought together 575 participants, including Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Secretaries, Treasurers, Directors of Personnel Management, Councillors, and Supervisory Councillors.
Declaring the retreat open, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, charged the officials to be true ambassadors of the APC at the grassroots level.
He warned against absenteeism, corruption, and poor service delivery, emphasizing that all local government officials must reside and operate within their communities.
“As local government officials, you’re expected to live within your communities and engage directly with citizens, traditional rulers, and youth. This is non-negotiable. I have instructed security agencies to ensure compliance,” Uzodimma stated.
Director General of TPI, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, expressed gratitude to Governor Uzodimma for his support and fulfillment of his promise made during TPI’s inauguration in September 2024.
“This retreat is a collaborative effort between TPI and the Imo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. We are honored by the caliber of participants and the impact this training is already generating,” Dr. Adebayo said.
The training covered eight core areas critical to effective local governance which includes
Public Procurement, Public Financial Management,
Public Service Rules and Public Policy & Communication.
Others include, Public Sector Ethics & Anti-Corruption, Legislative Process, Revenue Generation and Monitoring & Evaluation
Participants engaged in interactive sessions, expert-led presentations, and dialogue aimed at aligning local governance practices with progressive ideals.
The 3 day continuous training engages the public officials in thought-provoking discussions, insightful presentations, and interactive sessions aimed at enhancing their understanding of Public Sector Governance in line with progressive ideology.
At the closing ceremony, certificates were presented to participants, marking the end of what many hailed as a transformative learning experience.
