Civil servants in Ogun State have been urged to embrace professionalism, innovation, accountability and total well-being as essential tools for improving productivity and effective service delivery in the public sector.
The charge was given by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, during a staff retreat organised by the Ministry at Ijebu-Ode, themed: ‘Enhancing Productivity through Effective Service Delivery in the Civil Service’.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, the Commissioner stressed the need for continuous training, prudent resource management and citizen-centred governance, noting that the relevance of the Civil Service depends on its ability to meet the growing expectations of the public through transparent and responsive administration.
Delivering the first lecture titled: ’From Start to Benefit: A Guide to the Contributory Pension Scheme in Ogun State’, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo, said the Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced to eliminate retirement uncertainty and guarantee pension benefits for workers after service.
She explained that the scheme replaced the old Defined Benefit Scheme, which was plagued by pension arrears, delayed gratuity payments, poor funding and corruption.
According to her, the pension reform framework established under the Ogun State Pension Reform Law of 2006, as amended in 2013, was designed to ensure transparency and sustainability in pension administration.
Adetayo stated that workers contribute 8 percent of their monthly earnings while the government contributes 10 percent, bringing total monthly pension contributions to eighteen percent, which were paid into Retirement Savings Accounts managed by licensed Pension Fund Administrators.
She also highlighted the Additional Pension Benefit initiative, noting that workers who complete between 30 and 35 years in service could qualify for additional retirement benefits of up to 280 percent of their final annual emolument
The pension expert advised workers to maintain a valid National Identification Number, retain only one Pension Identification Number and commence data recapture with their Pension Fund Administrators at least 3 months before retirement to avoid delays in processing retirement benefits.
In another presentation titled, ‘Work-Life Balance of a Civil Servant’, Consultant Family Physician at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, Dr. Ajetunmobi Adebimpe, warned that rising health challenges among workers could negatively affect governance and productivity if not urgently addressed.
She identified stress, burnout, physical inactivity, staff shortages and excessive workload as major factors affecting workers’ health and performance, stressing that productivity should not only be measured by output but also by the health and motivation of employees.
Dr. Adebimpe advocated regular health screening, wellness initiatives and flexible work policies to improve workers’ well-being, adding that better sleep, nutrition and stress management would ultimately enhance efficiency within the public service
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, in her presentation titled: ’Understanding Operational Excellence in the Civil Service’, described operational excellence as a culture of consistently delivering quality results through professionalism, accountability and strict adherence to public service regulations, urging workers to embrace innovation, complicity with service rules and support the Ogun State Government’s ISEYA reform agenda.
Reacting, one of the participants, Mr. Ajibose Alani, commended the Ministry for organising the retreat and pledged improved commitment to effective and result-oriented service delivery.