Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called on governments at different levels to employ the best brains in their civil and public service to rebuild the nation.
Obaseki made the call on Wednesday during the three-day BRACED Commission Strategy Retreat for Heads of Civil Service at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin.
The Tide’s source reports that BRACED is an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta – six South-South states of the federation.
Obaseki, the Chairman of the Commission, said Edo was currently employing its first-class graduates from different institutions in its civil and public service.
He added that the state had recently increased its workforce minimum wage to N70,000 to enhance better performance.
“Because we are hiring the best, we must pay them the way their counterparts are being paid in other organisations.
“So, if we must rebuild Nigeria, then the best brains must be attracted to work in the public and civil service.
“We cannot build our country and states if we do not build our institutions and infrastructure.
“So, it is so important that as we talk about building Nigeria, we must fix our bureaucracy that runs Nigeria at all levels”, Obaseki said.
He noted that the retreat would allow participants to brainstorm on ways to support one another in developing the civil and public service in the South-South region.
According to him, issues that are common to the service in the BRACED states will be discussed over the next three days, leveraging one another’s knowledge.
The Director-General, BRACED Commission, Amb. Joe Keshi, commended Obaseki for his foresight and commitment to building institutions as catalysts for development.
Keshi noted that the commission was established to achieve the brief of economic cooperation, integration, collective development, and harmonisation of state policies, ensuring the region’s global competitiveness.
According to him, the commission cannot achieve its objectives without knowledgeable, strong, confident, effective, and efficient civil service.
“As a result, the service must constantly reinvent or renovate itself to be able to respond to the emerging dynamics effectively and efficiently.
“One retreat is not enough but what is important is that as leaders of the service in your respective states, you leave here determined to initiate the changes”, he said.
The Guest Speaker and Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, said the traditional and orthodox approaches and metrics deployed in public service required recalibration.
Speaking on the topic, “Strategic Leadership in Civil/Public Service: Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects”, Olaopa said the civil service reflects the old model of administration.
He explained that public administration had had to contend with a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment that conditioned its performance, stagnating the civil service.
He said managing the public sector, therefore, demanded new, original and innovative out-of-the-box thinking and strategies to get results that would translate to real performance and productivity.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Edo State Head of Service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa, said the retreat was a gathering of brothers coming together to find solutions to the region’s civil service challenges.

An Environmental Safety expert, Mr Mustapha Bako, has urged Nigerians to take essential measures to mitigate flood impacts and protect their lives and property.
Bako, who spoke with The Tide’s source on Wednesday in Uyo, stressed the necessity of the measures to prevent possible damage and loss of lives.
He said by adhering to the recommended measures, Nigerians could enhance their safety and reduce the adverse impacts of flooding on their lives and properties.
According to Bako, it is crucial for all citizens to stay informed about weather forecasts and flood alerts through reliable sources such as local news, radio broadcasts and weather apps.
Bako stated the importance of maintaining drainage systems to prevent blockages and water buildup, urging regular clearing of drains, gutters and water channels around homes.
The expert advised avoiding flood-prone areas, such as low-lying regions and riverbanks, during heavy rains to prevent emergencies.
Bako recommended securing properties by elevating electrical appliances and valuables above expected flood levels for those living in flood-prone areas.
“I also recommend the use of sandbags to block potential water entry points in and around homes”, he said.
He also suggested that families have a clear evacuation plan, including knowledge of the safest routes to higher ground or designated shelters in case of a flood emergency.
Bako said that health precautions should be taken as floodwaters could be contaminated.
He advised avoiding contact with floodwaters whenever possible and thoroughly washing hands if contact occurred.
“Driving through flooded areas is highly dangerous; even shallow water can disable a vehicle or sweep it away”, he warned.
Bako called on all Nigerians to participate in community initiatives such as clean-up and drainage clearance, adding that such could significantly reduce the risk of flooding.
He also recommended that those living in high-risk areas consider flood insurance as a precautionary measure.
The source reports that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has called for proactive measures to mitigate flooding and a change in attitude towards flood warnings.
Responding to flood alerts, the agency said, is essential for safeguarding lives and properties.
NIHSA’s 2024 Annual Flood Outlook reveals that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 31 states are at high risk of flooding.
The affected states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi.
Others are Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Chapter, has expressed deep concern over the recent cholera outbreak in the country, reaffirming its commitment to help contain the spread of the disease.
Edo State Chairman, NMA, Dr. Udoka Imoisili, said this on Wednesday in an interview with The Tide’s source in Benin.
She said, “Cholera is a highly infectious and potentially life-threatening illness that poses a significant risk to public health.
“It is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which spreads cholera through contaminated food and water”.
According to her, the association was collaborating with government agencies, healthcare providers and international organisations to coordinate a robust response to the outbreak.
“The NMA remains dedicated to providing support and assistance during this challenging time; we urge the public to stay vigilant and proactive in safeguarding community health.
“There is an urgent need for improved sanitation, access to clean drinking water, and heightened hygiene practices to curb the outbreak”, she stated.
Imoisili recommended access to clean water, practicing proper sanitation and maintaining food safety as measures to prevent the disease.
She also urged the public to seek prompt medical attention for symptoms such as severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.
“The association urges the public to boil water, use purification tablets or drink bottled water to ensure safety.
“It also stresses the importance of frequent hand washing, using hand sanitisers and proper waste disposal to prevent contamination.
“Consuming properly cooked food and storing it hygienically are essential steps in preventing cholera transmission”, she added.
She called for increased awareness within communities about cholera’s signs and preventive measures, noting that educating friends, family and neighbours could significantly contribute to combating the outbreak.