Expert likens good governance, service delivery to strategic HR 

To achieve good governance and excellence in service delivery, public service must transition to strategic human resource (HR) management, an expert, Dr Eno Jerry, has said.

Jerry, who is Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, said in the last decade, private organisations transitioned from administration to strategic HR management as a key driver for organisational growth, innovation and excellence in service delivery.

She spoke in a paper titled ‘HR Professionals Driving Transformation in Public Service’, which was delivered by the Commission’s Ifeoma Agu, at the 61st induction ceremony by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), held in Umuahia, Abia State.
The induction was the first to be held in the South East zone.

She said Gov. Alex Otti’s public service reform through its transition to strategic HR management would impact professionalism in the state’s public service and enthrone good governance and meritocracy.

Speaking on the induction of the 162 new members, comprising 149 associates and 13 full members, the CIPM President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ahmed Gobir, said the ceremony was particularly historic because it was the first ever done in the southeast zone.

He said the move was a testament to the institute’s commitment to inclusion, growth and a national vision of excellence in people management.

According to him, the theme calls on HR professionals to step up, innovate and take over in revolutionising public service for a brighter future.

He charged the newly inducted members to be the HR professionals who dare to challenge outdated systems and promote diversity, inclusion and fairness in recruitment and career progression.

He urged them to be the change agents who remind every employee, regardless of their role, that they are part of a bigger vision for Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inducted CIPM members, Chionye Christopher, an associate member, assured that they will abide by the rules of the HR practice and also be good CIPM ambassadors.

He commended Governor Otti for digitising and transforming the Abia state public service and also positioning it in line with extant and emerging global practice trends.