Reform Manager for DFID-PERL Southwest, Mrs. Chika Uwadi (right), elaborates on the results of the PERL programme in the Southwest, advocating for uptake of reforms in the region.		Group photograph of participants at the South West Heads of Service meeting

The 10th Heads of Service meeting, held on April 30th 2019, in Oshogbo was attended by Heads of Service of constituent states or their representatives, as well as key Permanent Secretaries and Directors from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The meeting was declared open by the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, represented by the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Benedict Alabi.

Other attendees included the Chief of Staff of the State of Osun, Dr. Charles Akinola; the Secretary to Osun State Government, Mr. Wole Oyebanji; Heads of Reform Agencies from across the Southwest, Director General and staff of DAWN Commission.

The forum presented an opportunity to learn about Public Service Reform Interventions implemented by Lagos State (specifically Growth Mindset & the Service Charter Initiative). In addition, DAWN Commission and PERL provided updates on reform efforts currently being supported by PERL, including:

• Southwest Women in Governance Community of Practice;
• Improving the business environment in Southwest states;
• Outcomes of assessments of Public Service Training Institutes;
• Improving service delivery in the Agric Sector in constituent states;
• Strengthening public financial management in Southwest states.

The Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mr Benedict Alabi, admonished Southwest Heads of Service to use the partnership opportunity with DFID-PERL to ensure good governance and better service delivery.		L – R: The Head of Service, State of Osun, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi and Chief of Staff, Mr Charles Akinola, at the Southwest Heads of Service Forum, hosted by the State Government of Osun.

The upcoming Southwest Heads of Service Football Festival was also discussed. The festival is organised by the Western Nigeria Football Federation (WNFF) in collaboration with DAWN Commission.

The Southwest Heads of Service Forum, a learning platform facilitated by the DAWN Commission in partnership with DFID’s Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), comprises Heads of Service from the six Southwest states. Members of the forum continue to meet regularly as a Community of Practice (CoP), to learn, share and adapt good reform practices to improve the delivery of public goods and services to citizens in their respective states.