By Manasseh Akawe
The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board (BSMLB), Hon. Michael Uper, has charged staff of the board to be mentally and physically prepared to drive revenue for the organization and the state at large.
Speaking at the end of a 3-day training programme held at the board’s headquarters in Makurdi, Hon. Uper emphasized the importance of optimal performance in achieving the board’s mandate. “Your performance is what is needed here to get optimal results, so I want you to activate your mindset of working for the betterment of the board,” he stated.
The training programme, which aimed to enhance staff capacity, featured presentations from various department heads, including Mr. Justin Iorshaegher, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics, and Mr. Terwase Iortim, the board’s internal auditor. Mr. Iorshaegher facilitated on the functions of his department in the sports marketing and lottery board, while Mr. Iortim lectured on the audit guide and financial retirements.
Pastor John Mkaanem Orahungurga, Head of Administration, emphasized the importance of adhering to civil service rules, maintaining secrecy, and demonstrating punctuality, respect, and decorum in the workplace. “Oath of Secrecy is very key in any organization,” he said, charging staff to always keep confidential the happenings of the board.
He also advised staff to avoid truancy, fighting, querying, falsification of documents, sabotage, and insubordination, and to always respect seniority, treat each other with decorum, and dress corporately.
Hon. Uper while declaring every Wednesday as a lecture day for staff to enhance continuous capacity building, commended staff members for completing the training programme successfully and expressed appreciation to the management team for ensuring the programme’s success.
The Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board is committed to contributing to the development of sports, enhancing community engagement, and generating revenue for various public initiatives through legalized lottery activities.
The board’s efforts to drive revenue are aimed at supporting the state government’s development initiatives, and Hon. Uper’s charge to staff is expected to boost the board’s revenue generation capabilities.