Mbah Moves to Reposition Enugu Civil Service, Trains Perm Secs, Auditor-General on Policy Drive
In a decisive move to deepen reforms and entrench a results-oriented governance culture, the Enugu State Government has commenced a four-day onboarding retreat for Permanent Secretaries and the State Auditor-General.
The retreat, themed “Strategic Policy Alignment and Disruptive Innovation,” is organised by the Office of the Head of Service and is aimed at equipping senior civil servants with the capacity and mindset required to effectively drive Governor Peter Mbah’s reform agenda.
Declaring the retreat open in Enugu, Governor Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the civil service as the “engine room” of government, stressing that effective governance hinges on a professional, innovative and accountable bureaucracy capable of translating policy into measurable outcomes.
SSG Onyia Representing Gov. Mbah
In a keynote address titled “A Deep Dive into the Vision and Governing Philosophy of My Administration,” the governor said governance in the 21st century must be anchored on clarity of vision, data-driven decision-making and performance tracking.
He emphasised that government must transition from being a passive regulator to an active enabler of development, particularly in the area of human capital development. According to him, policies must be implemented with speed, discipline and precision to deliver tangible results to the people.
Mbah explained that the retreat was structured to familiarise participants with his administration’s governance philosophy, performance-monitoring framework and feedback-driven implementation strategy.
He noted that Permanent Secretaries play a pivotal role in policy execution across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and must uphold the core values of transparency, accountability and inclusiveness.
The governor further underscored the importance of strategic planning, operational efficiency and merit-based systems, adding that accurate data collection and analysis remain critical to informed decision-making.
He charged participants to develop actionable policy plans aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, reducing red tape and enhancing service delivery across MDAs.
The retreat, he disclosed, would culminate in practical frameworks designed to replace inefficient procedures with streamlined and transparent systems described as “green tape.”
Reiterating his administration’s determination to fast-track development, Mbah said: “We are in a hurry to transform Enugu State in line with the promises we made to our people.”
He explained that the initiative would reposition the Enugu State Civil Service as a modern, innovation-driven institution capable of sustaining reforms beyond the lifespan of the current administration.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Service, Dr Godwin Anigbo, described the programme as a historic onboarding initiative for senior public officers, declaring that there was no room for “business as usual.”
HOS, Dr G.C Anigbo
He said the state had embraced a disruptive innovation agenda that had gone beyond campaign rhetoric to technology-driven policies rooted in sustainable development.
“The impact of this disruption is already being felt by our citizens, and it is our duty to ensure that the momentum is sustained and accelerated,” Anigbo said.
He urged the participants to see themselves as drivers of the administration’s vision, warning that failure to align with reform objectives could undermine progress.
“As Permanent Secretaries and the Auditor-General, you are expected to embody the pillars of transparency, accountability and inclusiveness. These values are central to the civil service reforms currently underway,” he added.
Anigbo stressed that the retreat was not ceremonial but a working session designed to equip participants with practical tools to lead a modern workforce and chart a clear direction for their respective MDAs.
He disclosed that participants are expected to jointly develop a comprehensive Policy Action Plan before the end of the programme, with a focus on dismantling bureaucratic hurdles and promoting efficient service delivery.
The Head of Service also revealed that the state government had approved the establishment of a Public Service Training Institute — the first of its kind in the South-East — to drive continuous manpower development and policy research.
According to him, the institute will serve as a think tank to support government decision-making and align the state’s civil service with global best practices.
He added that the retreat underscores the administration’s commitment to building strong institutions and positioning Enugu as a sub-national hub for innovation, excellence and people-centred governance.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
