"Civil Servants Are Driving Enugu's Visible Progress" - Governor Mbah
"3-Day Training Aims to Drive 'Disruptive Innovation' - Enugu Head of Service
Governor Peter Mbah, yesterday opened a three-day workshop on “Fiscal Stewardship, Strategic Oversight, and Institutional Integrity in the Era of Disruptive Innovation,” praising directors and deputy directors in the Enugu State Civil Service for turning government policies into tangible results.
Speaking at the ongoing training program, he said the government cannot make meaningful progress without their support, crediting civil servants for driving projects “to the last mile,” including the revamp of the workshop venue, Hotel Presidential Enugu, and other visible achievements of the Enugu State government.
He urged participants to use the training to add value to their offices and the people they serve, acknowledging that communication through the chain of command can be difficult at times but urged them to always feel free and courageous to ask questions. "If you are not succeeding with your line managers, feel free to send a letter to the governor of Enugu State. I promise you he reads every letter sent to him," he said.
Ossai noted that the administration’s vision is a “New Enugu” where the civil service is honourable and able to compete globally, but stressed that training must be regular.
“We are in a world that is dynamic. Without learning new ideas and new thoughts, you can’t compete favourably,” he said.
Added that the administration has “virtually restructured all facets of Enugu State” and needs civil servants' buy-in to "explain government policies, programmes and projects better to the people."
He described "disruptive innovation" and e-governance as a technology-driven approach based on "empirical facts," and said the state is "overhauling the civil service for increased productivity and sustainable growth."
The Head of Service Enugu State, Dr. Godwin Anigbo, while opening his address thanked Governor Peter Mbah for attending despite state duties.
Anigbo said the program is a key part of Governor Peter Mbah's "Disruptive Innovation" agenda, intended to reshape the civil service into an agile, transparent, and technology-driven engine of growth.
Targeting directorates that manage the state’s finances, the training focuses on building integrity, proactive risk management, and stronger oversight. Anigbo urged participants to treat it as a serious professional intervention, not a routine gathering, stressing that the knowledge gained will aid their careers and the state’s progress.
He also thanked partner CitiHoms Finance Ltd for supporting the initiative, adding that the collaboration will help Enugu position itself as a premier investment destination.
In a separate speech, Director of the Enugu State Multi-door Courthouse, Caroline Nene Etuk, praised Governor Peter Mbah’s bold, visionary leadership and urged civil servants to shift from administration to transformation - acting as system architects and drivers of innovation and integrity.
The Managing Director of Citihoms Finance Company Limited, Nathaniel Solomon, pledged the firm’s commitment to collaborate with the Enugu State government, share its vision, and support the state’s economic growth, thanking the governor for creating an enabling environment for business and investors.
Responding, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Chieftaincy, Mr Robinson Ezea, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Justice, Juliet Okonkwo, thanked the government for organizing the workshop and for the various e-governance trainings meant to enhance their capacity and productivity.
Other speakers were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, who represented the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Dr Chinedu Eze, a public financial management expert; and Dr Sam Onyia, a policy development expert and an experienced public administrator.