From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has charged political appointees and those in leadership positions to be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the discharge of their official duties.
The Governor gave the charge while declaring open a three-day Leadership Retreat and Ministerial Briefing, organised for commissioners, special advisers and directors-general of government agencies and parastatals in the state.
He said that this would go a long way in promoting good governance and building public trust.
The retreat, with the theme: “The Advance New Direction for Continuity and Consolidation to Strategic Development”, is also targeted at shaping the skills of the political appointees for result-oriented performance and productivity.
Ododo, who was represented by the Secretary to Government of Kogi State, Dr Mrs Folashade Ayoade, said that the retreat should be seen as a collective commitment towards the development of Kogi State.
The Governor noted that his priority for productivity and provision of basic infrastructure is aimed at laying a solid foundation for total transformation of the state.
“Our collective efforts must shift towards shaping the state for greater achievements hence the essence of my appointing capable hands that would assist my administration to move the state to the next level of development.
“The retreat would no doubt enhance the leadership and ministerial capacity of the beneficiaries for needed collaboration for sustained progress and growth of the state.
“What we can achieve together for the betterment of our dear state should be our main mission. You should therefore, avail yourselves of the opportunity of the training to contribute your quota towards the accelerated development of Kogi state,” Ododo admonished.