The Edo State Government under the administration of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, through its Academy, the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), has concluded a three-day training on Effective Public Speaking and Speech Writing for Civil and Public servants in the State.

At the opening of the training which spanned from Wednesday, 18th to Friday, 2oth June, 2025, in Benin City, the Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa reiterated the Edo State Government’s commitment to capacity development and called for collective responsibility in preserving the integrity of the Civil Service. While describing public speaking as a science and an art that could be developed over time, he emphasized that Civil and Public servants could only become proficient in speech writing and delivery through consistent practice.

Dr. Okungbowa stressed the importance of Civil and Public servants being equipped with communication skills, as many are required to draft speeches for senior officials or deliver presentations themselves. He cautioned against digressing from assigned topics, highlighting the necessity for professionalism as implementers of Government policies.

“Speaking is both an art and a science. It is a science because it follows rules and a methodology; it is an art because it is expressive, beautiful and powerful. Public speaking is like a demonstration of faith, so keep at it even when it is tough at the beginning. Every next time presents another opportunity to do better. There is a science behind presentations, regardless of the discipline or profession. That is why we are here to teach our people how to write and deliver effective speeches. This will significantly improve their output, whether writing for their superiors or speaking for themselves,” the HOS explained.

The HOS admonished, “You must learn to be relevant, avoid jargon, respect order of precedence, and speak with clarity. No matter how beautiful a speech is, if it’s off-topic or hard to understand, it fails. Respect the order of precedence. It is a serious error in public speaking to ignore it. If you are unsure, ask questions. Avoid using jargon; speak and write in a way that is clear and comprehensible. Let the dictionary guide you, and remember, we use the British version of the English language, not the American.”

Dr. Okungbowa stated that the State Government is investing hugely on human capacity development, especially in the Civil and Public Service, to ensure that the next generation inherits a system of excellence. He appreciated the Director-General (DG) of JOOPSA, Mrs. Gina Otamere, for introducing trainings focused on practical aspects of service delivery. “We must pass on a banner without stain to the next generation of Civil and Public servants. We will not sit idly by and watch the Service we’ve laboured for, to build be compromised,” he said amongst other.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the DG of JOOPSA, Mrs. Otamere, emphasized that the essence of the training was to equip senior and top-level officers with the technical communication skills required for effective interaction across different tiers of government.

She stated, “The essence of this training is to develop effective communication skills needed to convey ideas, persuade audiences, and inspire action with confidence and clarity among representatives of government. As Civil and Public servants, we are responsible for crafting speeches, preparing official documents, and informing the public about government initiatives and activities while also encouraging citizens’ participation.”

Mrs. Otamere noted that many public servants shy away from speaking role due to the technical nature of public communication, compounded by the outdated notion that public servants should be seen and not heard. She stated, “Many people avoid public speaking because of its technical demands. Traditionally, public servants were expected to be silent operators, but today, we live in a very vocal world. We now have a new generation of bureaucrats who are also vocal, and they must be guided, trained, and empowered to express themselves effectively within the Civil and Public Service space.

“By the end of this training, regardless of your specialization or your cadre in the Service, you should be able to take up the responsibility of preparing a well-crafted speech on government activities and enlightening the public on what government is doing.”

In a lecture, the facilitator, Dr. Lois Otse Adams-Osigbemhe, emphasized the importance of equipping Civil and Public servants with the skills needed for effective speech delivery. She noted that building confidence in public speaking is crucial for leaving a positive impact on the Service and for preparing officers to thrive beyond their active years in government.

The Facilitator encouraged participants to embrace their full potentials and not to underestimate themselves due to untapped talents, reminding them that developing strong communication skills is not just beneficial for their current roles but will also serve them in their post-service life.

According to Dr. Adams-Osigbemhe, “This training is designed to make you better public servants. You do not need complex vocabulary or a foreign accent to be effective. Your natural accent is good enough. What matters most is simplicity, clarity and confidence.” The art of public speaking involves more than just words, it must include storytelling techniques, vocal variety, body language and authenticity. “Learn to craft your message well. Vary your tone and pitch. Use your body language meaningfully. Be authentic and always seek feedbacks,” she advised.

Expressing appreciation, a participant, Joy Musa Aghedo, reflected on the personal relevance of the training, especially as a journalist working within the Public Service, said, “As a journalist building my own voice, my responsibility to deliver that message accurately and to do this requires an in-depth understanding of what the Government wants to convey and the ability to present that information in a way the public can easily understand. I learnt that I must go the extra mile to ensure that I am giving the right information, to the right people and in the right way.”

The training was organised for officers on Salary Grade levels 10 to 17 in the Civil and Public Service and in attendance were the functioning Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, Balogun Aiyegbeni; the Director of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Victor Okenini; the Director of Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Ibizugbe Osadolor Lawrence, amongst others.