30th November, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said his administration is working and targeting making Lagos the third largest economy in Africa.
The governor said that was the reason his administration was embarking on capacity building for the state’s public servants.
Speaking at a Two-Day Workshop for public servants in the state, Ambode said his administration was investing so much on the public servants to prepare them for the challenges of being one of the most prosperous economies in Africa.
He described the workshop organised by the state’s Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions in conjunction with the Viewpoint Educational Services as strategic move towards realising the target of the Africa’s 3rd largest economy.
According to Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Benson Oke, “Lagos state is the 5th largest economy in Africa, we are determined to move from the fifth to the 3rd largest economy in Africa. Again, Lagos state as we speak is a mega city that is currently moving from a mega city to the smart city.
“What this entails is that we want to replicate most of the things obtainable in the United Kingdom, Soviet Union and other developed countries of the world in Lagos with little adjustment because of the difference of the social settings. We will replicate some of those things with minor adjustment.
“This is why the Governor approved the capacity building programme for public servants to enable them to cope and compete with their foreign counterparts all over the world because the public servants in the state are the real engine room of Lagos.”
However, Ambode said experience had shown that leadership trainings increase productivity; help retain and maximise the capacities of people in organisations such as the Lagos State Public Service; help nurture future leaders as well as increase employee engagement.
“We all like to know how we are progressing in our roles, receiving praise when it is well-earned and constructive feedback as necessary. In fact, 43% of highly engaged employees receive feedback at least once a week compared to only 18% of those with low engagement. Giving feedback is a skill of successful leaders. Through leadership trainings, organisations can teach effective ways to give feedback to motivate and increase the skill level of their people,” he said.
The governor added that leadership training implement an effective leadership style and help people make better decisions, stressing that leadership training could “assist in implementing the most appropriate leadership style for organisations and the work they do. There are several leadership styles, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Leadership training can also help individual leaders develop their own personal leadership style that their team members will best respond to.”