By Peter Dansu The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo-Badagry, on Monday, October 20, 2025, played host to an array of t...
By Peter Dansu
The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo-Badagry, on Monday, October 20, 2025, played host to an array of top government officials and dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the 13th edition of the Mandatory Training Programme (MTP) for Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals and Agencies.
The high-profile event underscored ASCON’s pivotal role in strengthening leadership capacity and promoting excellence within the Nigerian public service.
Among the dignitaries present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Dr. George Akume, represented by Professor Simeon Akaya; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack; and the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.
Also in attendance were Mr. Ganiu Lawal, Director of Public Affairs; Mr. Alfred Aba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil Service Matters; the Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I; Dr. Abiodun Oba Samuel Wheto of Idaale Kingdom; Comrade Ambrose, Commanding Officer, Badagry Command; Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, Member of the House of Representatives; Hon. Babatunde Hunpe; and the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, represented by Hon. Taiwo, among several others.
In her welcome address, the Director-General of ASCON, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, expressed deep appreciation to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for her unwavering support and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his confidence in ASCON’s leadership. She highlighted the importance of continuous learning, leadership renewal, and innovation in the public service, urging participants to embrace the training with open minds and a commitment to excellence.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Mr. Ifeayo Peters, representing the UK Government; Mrs. Fatima Mahmood; Mr. Bode Agoro; and Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan.
Mr. Peters reaffirmed the UK Government’s partnership with Nigeria in governance and institutional reforms, emphasizing the civil service’s central role in building a resilient and sustainable national economy.
Mr. Agoro commended ASCON’s consistency and professionalism, noting that the training remains crucial for ensuring accountability, effective decision-making, and administrative continuity across government institutions.
Hon. Sesi Whingan described ASCON as “a beacon of pride for Badagry and Nigeria,” praising Mrs. Adepoju’s visionary leadership for elevating the institution’s status through innovation and strategic visibility.
Delivering her keynote address titled “Lead Boldly, Reform, Renew,” the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, lauded ASCON for sustaining the MTP and driving innovation within the public sector. She applauded Mrs. Adepoju’s transformative leadership, describing her as a visionary reformer who has repositioned ASCON as Nigeria’s premier public sector learning hub through modernization and strategic direction.
Mrs. Walson-Jack charged the participants to lead with courage, innovate with purpose, and serve with integrity, describing them as custodians of government policies and critical actors in shaping a future-ready civil service.
In his remarks, the SGF, Senator George Akume (represented by Prof. Simeon Akaya), reaffirmed the critical role of the civil service in sustaining governance and policy continuity. He officially declared the training open, describing ASCON as a vital institution in preparing current and future leaders for effective national service.
The event also featured the commissioning of a newly completed solar-powered 56-bed hostel and restaurant facility, performed by Mrs. Walson-Jack. The project symbolizes ASCON’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and modernization under Mrs. Adepoju’s leadership.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Babatunde Eniaiyejuni, a Director at ASCON, who appreciated dignitaries and development partners for their continued support toward achieving the college’s vision.
Under Mrs. Funke Adepoju’s stewardship, ASCON continues to assert its place as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s administrative reforms—nurturing a new generation of bold, ethical, and visionary leaders driving excellence in public governance.
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