Gov. Abiodun Tasks Political Leaders, Public Servants on Strategic Foresight
..…As Ogun Begins Three-Day Leadership Training at NIPSS, Ago-Iwoye
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on political leaders and senior public servants to embrace strategic foresight in policymaking and governance to ensure sustainable development and prepare the state for future challenges.
Abiodun, represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, made the call at the opening of a three-day Capacity Development Programme on Foresighting for Strategic Leaders in Ogun State, held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (OSKASOGS), Ago-Iwoye.
The Governor said effective leadership required anticipating emerging trends, identifying opportunities and assessing potential risks rather than concentrating solely on immediate challenges. He noted that strategic foresight would enable policymakers to incorporate long-term considerations into government policies, budgeting, planning and programme implementation.
According to him, the initiative aligns with his administration’s Building Our Future Together agenda and its commitment to strengthening the public service for improved service delivery.
Abiodun highlighted Ogun State’s growing industrial base, strategic position along the Lagos-Ogun economic corridor and expanding investment opportunities as reasons for adopting long-term development planning. He stressed the need to ensure that infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing and employment opportunities keep pace with the state’s growth.
He challenged participants to reflect on the skills young people would require to remain competitive, the infrastructure needed to sustain industrial expansion and the measures government must adopt to prevent emerging risks from developing into major challenges.
The Governor commended the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, and the Director of OSKASOGS, Professor Sola Adeyanju, mni, for supporting and hosting the programme. He also appreciated the institute for providing the training at no cost to participants, urging them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen public institutions and improve decision-making.
In his remarks, Saka emphasised the importance of continuous capacity development in equipping public servants with the skills and competencies required to address emerging governance challenges.
He commended the immediate past Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, for pioneering the strategic leadership management course at the Awujale School of Governance Studies, noting that bringing political leaders and senior public servants together would promote collaboration and a shared understanding of the state’s development priorities.
Saka urged participants to translate the lessons from the training into practical improvements in governance and public service delivery.
Onasanya, in his goodwill message, described Abiodun as a strong advocate of capacity building, noting that the programme had continued to enrich participants’ knowledge, strengthen the civil service, promote teamwork and improve the implementation of government policies and programmes.
Similarly, Adeyanju commended the Governor for providing policymakers and public servants with opportunities to enhance their strategic leadership skills, urging participants to deploy the knowledge acquired towards Ogun State’s growth and development.
The three-day programme is designed to equip participants with techniques for identifying emerging trends, exploring alternative future scenarios, assessing risks and opportunities, and incorporating long-term thinking into government policies and development plans.
Participants include the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Debola Sofela; Commissioner for Cooperatives and Community Development, Hon. Ademola Balogun; Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker; Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade; Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Evangelist Joshua Ifede; alongside permanent secretaries, directors and other senior officials from ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals across the state.
