Ambassador I. M. Bashir’s Speech at the Attitudinal Change, Workplace Ethics and Best Practices Workshop

His Excellency, Dauda Lawal, PhD

The Executive Governor, Zamfara State,

Distinguished Guest and Participants, Gentlemen of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am home away from home. It’s a great honour and privilege to be here once again in my second home, at this opening session of a 4-Day Capacity Building Workshop on Attitudinal Change, Work Place Ethics and Best Practices. This programme is aimed at optimizing the capacity of the participants drown from amongst Chairmen of Boards and Agencies, Permanent Secretaries, Other Heads of Agencies, Departments and Directors. I believe that at the end of this exercise, participants will be more committed, dedicated, efficient, productive and result oriented in rendering excellent service delivery to the State..

The programme is holding under the auspices of A&B Executive Protocol Consultants Limited with the sole sponsorship of the Government of Zamfara State as graciously approved by the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Dauda Lawal.

Participants at this training will learn key issues which would include amongst others: Attitudinal change in the work place, (so as to enhance productivity) ; Planning and Time Management, (doing things timely and differently);

Interpersonal Relationships and Personal Diplomacy, (for confidence building and efficiency); Precedence and Order of Precedence; Protocol and Etiquettes; Ceremonies, Flags and Logos, (the officially accepted best practices in the positioning of flags, logos and engagement with VIPs at functions)

The course is designed in such a manner that at the end of each presentation there will be an interactive session for discussions and experience sharing. This is carefully designed so as to ensure that every participant benefits maximally from the workshop/training.

I am certain that the programme will ginger enthusiasm for a very remarkable enhancement in the participants service delivery and duty calls to government and to the people of Zamfara State.

We are extremely pleased to express our profound gratitude to the Executive Governor for providing the ideal environment and resources for holding this training programme.

Your Excellency Sir, we are indeed inspired by the confidence you reposed in us and your kind gesture would live an indelible mark in our minds.

It might be of interest to our esteemed guests and participants to note that aside our engagements with Ministries, Departments, Agencies and other Corporate Organizations, Zamfara State is in the frontline amongst the number of states in the country to host this all-important training programme and the FIRST STATE TO SPONSOR FOR A SECOND BATCH TRAINING of a cluster of senior government officials in one forum, as we are witnessing here today. Let me therefore, use this opportunity to urge all participants to take this rare privilege accorded them to be part of this priceless knowledge enhancement programme very important. Towards the end of this training programme a questionnaire will be distributed to all participants to independently assess the proficiency of the whole training programme which also includes assessment of our performance.

At this juncture, permit me to take a moment and use this opportunity to immensely appreciate the Executive Governor, H. E, Dr. Dauda Lawal for his transformational leadership in Zamfara State. We’ve seen a new airport springing up, which will enhance connectivity and economic growth by attracting investors both from within and beyond. Your steadfastness in the growth of education and knowledge enhancement is evident through the state’s generous award of scholarships to students, the renovation of schools which will provide a better learning environment and the various training programmes sponsored by your administration, such as this one that is to be declared open today. The increase in internally generated revenue of the state highlights your innovative initiatives. We applaud your action to stop non-statutory deductions from workers’ pay, thereby ensuring fairness to the civil servants. The declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector shows your enviable commitment to the well-being of our citizens, the good people of Zamfara State. Your foresight for the construction of ultramodern motor parks will improve security, safety and create employment opportunities for the youths.

On behalf of my team and my humble self we congratulate you, Your Excellency, on the successfully concluded Local Government elections and the astounding victory of the candidates of your party, the Peoples Democratic Party – PDP. The peaceful conduct of the elections and victories achieved are true reflection of the peoples trust and confidence in your efforts at transforming Zamfara State. It is very obvious that your determination to fearlessly tackle head on, the insecurity challenges bedevilling the state is yielding the desired results and impacting positively on the state.

Thank you for your dynamic leadership Your Excellency, Sir.

Let me conclude by humbly sharing with you, these few thought provoking quotes;

“Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are still easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small” – Sun TZU

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” – Winston Churchill ‘’If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferior, not his equals’’ – J.K. Rawlings

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment” – Oprah Winfrey.