By: Aishat Ohunene Yusuf
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has officially declared the 2025 Kogi State Civil Service Week with a renewed commitment to modernizing governance through technology, improving workers’ welfare, and strengthening institutional capacity.
The event, held at the Government House, Lokoja, has as its theme “Igniting Digital Transformation” and brought together top government functionaries, permanent secretaries, directors, and civil servants from across the state.
Declaring the week-long celebration open, Governor Ododo, ably represented by the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, commended the Kogi State Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, FCA, for his visionary leadership in driving the state’s digital transformation agenda. He described the civil service as the bedrock of government operations and emphasised the need to harness technology to deliver more efficient, transparent, and responsive public service.
The Governor highlighted key reforms already implemented under his administration, including:
Introduction of electronic payment systems across state departments,
Deployment of integrated management information systems to enhance inter-agency coordination, Prompt and consistent payment of salaries, allowances, and leave bonuses, Implementation of the new national minimum wage, Capacity-building initiatives to equip civil servants with essential ICT skills.
“These reforms,” he stated, “are about building a civil service that is empowered, accountable, and able to meet the expectations of our people in this digital age. Digital transformation is not an option; it is a necessity.”
In his goodwill message, the Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, described the celebration as more than a ceremonial observance, calling it “a bold call to action” for the state’s workforce to embrace technology, improve productivity, and uphold the highest standards of integrity. He stressed that in a rapidly changing governance environment, the civil service must retool, retrain, and innovate to remain relevant.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Barr. Muhammad Tanko Musa, praised Governor Ododo’s unwavering support for the commission’s reform programmes, especially in the areas of merit-based recruitment while highlighting the gaps that need to be bridged, Staff promotion, implementation and training. He emphasised that the commission will continue to uphold fairness, transparency, and professionalism in all its operations to ensure a competent and motivated workforce.
Highlight of the event was the official unveiling and adoption of the new Vision and Mission Statement of the Kogi State Civil Service by the Head of Civil Service, symbolising a renewed commitment to service excellence, innovation, and people-centred governance. The new statements articulate the civil service’s resolve to lead with integrity, leverage technology, and deliver value-driven services that impact the lives of every citizen in the state.
As part of the week’s programme, participants engaged in capacity-building lectures which centered on Transforming Kogi Public service for a Sustainable development and Digitalization of Governance,by Mr. Enimola Martins and Prof. Sunday Eric Adewunmi, FNCS respectively, interactive sessions, and Panel discussions on reform strategies aimed at making the Kogi State Civil Service a model of efficiency and professionalism in Nigeria.
Information Officer,
Office of the Head of Civil Service
