Director-general of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Dr Funke Femi Adepoju, has commended the Kano State government for making capacity building a central part of governance, describing it as a strategic investment in the state’s public service.
Adepoju stated this yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 25th ASCON Workshop and Examination for Non-Administrative Officers aspiring for promotion to managerial level in the Kano State Civil Service.
The two-week programme, organised by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of Kano State in collaboration with ASCON, is aimed at preparing officers for higher responsibilities in the public service.
According to the ASCON DG, investment in civil servants strengthens the foundation of government and improves service delivery.
“When a Governor deliberately invests in the capacity of civil servants, he is strengthening the engine room of government. It is a long-term investment not only in today’s administration but in the future of the state,” she said.
She explained that ASCON’s role was to support governments by building competent public institutions and preparing officers to lead effectively.
Adepoju disclosed that ASCON’s Kano operations trained 804 officers of the state civil service in the past year, adding that 322 officers were participating in the current programme.
“This confirms that Kano State is treating capacity building as part of governance itself,” she added.
She urged participants to take the training seriously, stressing that public service requires more than technical expertise; it also requires leadership, accountability, communication skills, and sound judgment.
While declaring the workshop open, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by the secretary to the state government, Ibrahim Farouk, said the workshop was part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening human capital development in the civil service.
He said officers moving into managerial positions must possess leadership qualities, strategic thinking and knowledge of public service rules and ethics.
He urged participants to become role models and agents of positive change in their ministries, departments and agencies.
“The quality of leadership you provide will significantly influence service delivery, staff productivity and institutional effectiveness,” he said.
The Kano State Head of Civil Service, Bilkisu Maimota, in her remarks, said the workshop was designed to equip officers with the knowledge required for effective service delivery and state development.
She charged participants to maximise the opportunity and remain committed throughout the programme.
