Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has reiterated his administration’s focus on building strong institutions and driving a results-oriented public service as the cornerstone of sustainable governance in the state.
He made the remarks on Monday in Port Harcourt while inaugurating a four-day Transformational Leadership Training Workshop for Sustainable Development, jointly organized by the Rivers State Government and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
The training, which commenced on Monday, brought together Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Administrators, and Directors from various ministries across the state.
In his opening address, Ibas noted that the workshop marked a pivotal move toward repositioning the state’s public sector to meet the evolving needs of citizens in a rapidly changing environment. According to him, “this administration is committed to building strong institutions, promoting efficiency, and fostering a results-driven public service.” He added that the goal was to establish “a culture of good governance—one that will serve not just the present generation but also those to come.”
Ibas emphasized that the aim of the initiative extended beyond system upgrades, seeking instead to initiate a deeper cultural transformation within the public service, one rooted in excellence, accountability, and innovation. “This training is designed to equip you with the tools and insights necessary to lead through complexity, champion reforms, strengthen local government autonomy, and deliver meaningful results to our communities. I urge you to embrace it fully with open minds and a clear commitment to translate learning into action,” he said.
He also stressed that ongoing and targeted training was essential to breaking cycles of stagnation in governance, equipping public servants to evolve and elevate service delivery.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, described the workshop’s theme, Transformational Leadership for Sustainable Development, as timely and essential. He remarked that the program was designed to close leadership gaps and provide modern strategies for collaborative governance. Omotayo praised the Rivers State Government for prioritizing sustainable development, infrastructure upgrades, and social advancement, all of which, he said, demand leadership excellence at every level.
What you should know
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is championing transformational leadership in Rivers State by strengthening institutions and promoting excellence in public service through capacity-building initiatives like the NIPSS workshop.
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