Heads of Service from all South-South states and other participants at the end of the BRACED retreat, yesterday, finalised plans to adopt key components in the Benin declaration in an effort to transform the civil/public service in the region.
The BRACED Commission, in partnership with the Edo State Government, hosted a pivotal strategy retreat for all heads of service of the BRACED states (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo and Delta) at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy, which held from July 3 to 5, 2024. 
The strategy retreat, themed, ‘Leadership in the Public Sector: Strengthening Public Institutions,’ brought together heads of service from all South-South states. At the end of the retreat, participants drafted and signed the “Benin Declaration,” a comprehensive roadmap for public services in the BRACED states over the next three years.
A statement made available to journalists by the Director General of the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service, Imuwahen Ajoonu, said that the BRACED states’ heads of service have shown commitment to the transformative initiative agreed at the retreat.
According to Ajoonu, the adoption of the Benin Declaration signifies a new era for public service in the South-South region, pointing out that the commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and capacity building set a high standard for excellence in public service delivery.
