Okpebholo’s Retreat Sets New Tone for Governance in Edo — Abdallah

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for convening a three-day Orientation and Strategic Leadership Retreat for public and civil service leaders, describing it as a timely and forward-looking initiative aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery in the state.

The retreat, themed “High-Performing Public Service for the Sustainable Development of Edo State,” held from Monday, February 2 to Thursday, February 5, 2025, at Udomi Town in Esan Central Local Government Area, brought together top government officials to reassess priorities and align with the administration’s development agenda.

Speaking on the programme, Mrs. Abdallah, who participated in the retreat, expressed appreciation to the Governor for creating an enabling platform for public sector leaders to reflect, re-strategize, and build synergy in pursuit of effective governance.

According to her, the retreat featured robust interactive sessions, case studies, group discussions, and collaborative engagements focused on strengthening strategic leadership, accountability, performance management, good governance, and inter-ministerial coordination across the public service.

“The retreat provided a rare opportunity for leaders in the public and civil service to critically examine our roles, strengthen collaboration, and adopt best practices that will enhance efficiency and service delivery,” she said. “Governor Monday Okpebholo has once again demonstrated purposeful leadership by prioritising capacity building and strategic thinking in governance.”

Mrs. Abdallah noted that the insights and knowledge gained from the retreat would significantly enhance ongoing efforts to deliver on the Governor’s SHINE Agenda, particularly in the areas of inclusive development, institutional effectiveness, and sustainable growth.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to applying lessons from the retreat in advancing women-focused policies and programmes that align with the broader objectives of the Okpebholo administration.

The Commissioner urged all participants to translate the outcomes of the retreat into concrete actions that would positively impact governance and improve the lives of Edo citizens.