By Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki.
In a strategic move to strengthen institutional efficiency and improve public service delivery, the management of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, has organised a comprehensive capacity-building conference for its non-teaching staff, with emphasis on digital competence and modern administrative practices.
The TETFund-supported training conference, held at Geneza Hotel, Abakaliki, brought together non-academic staff of the university under the theme “Digital Technology Application for Enhanced Job Performance.” The programme was organised by the Association of Technology and Art Teachers of Nigeria (ATATN).
Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of DUFUHS, Professor Jesse Uneke, underscored the university’s commitment to continuous staff development as a cornerstone for institutional growth.
He urged participants to seize the opportunity to upgrade their skills and translate the knowledge gained into improved productivity in their respective offices.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the University Registrar, Mr. Vitalis Ofor, encouraged participants to pay close attention to the resource persons, noting that the training was deliberately structured to address practical challenges facing non-academic staff in the modern university system.
According to him, the programme is part of a sustained initiative by the university management to expose staff to evolving digital tools and administrative best practices.
“This is a comprehensive and continuous programme. A similar training was held last year, and another is planned in the coming months. The Vice-Chancellor has ensured that everything required for this programme is available,” Ofor said.
He added that the training would not only enhance staff performance within the university environment but also equip them with competitive skills applicable beyond the workplace.
One of the lead resource persons, Mr. Nwanagba Cajetan Jones, Acting Director of Human Resource Management at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, delivered a paper titled “Public Service Rules and Conditions of Service in Nigerian Federal Universities: Applications and Practices.”
Jones described the Public Service Rules (PSR) as the foundational guide governing employer-employee relationships in federal institutions, tracing its evolution from the colonial-era General Orders to the present-day PSR.
He highlighted challenges in implementation, noting that deviations and institutional inconsistencies often affect staff welfare, discipline, and service delivery.
He emphasized the need for public servants to adapt to globalization pressures, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and uphold professionalism in order to achieve effective service delivery.
Other topics discussed included overtime eligibility, remuneration, allowances, group life insurance, leave entitlements, and ongoing reforms in the public service.
Additional resource persons also delivered practical sessions. Mr. Emmanuel C. Egwu, Deputy Bursar at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), spoke on data collection using Google tools and contemporary challenges in university bursary departments.
Former Ebonyi State University Librarian, Dr. Jonathan N. Chimah, addressed “Service Excellence in a Digital University System,” while Mr. Chidi Ukwuoma, Director of Works and former Head of Procurement at AE-FUNAI, highlighted the role of digital technology in enhancing operational efficiency in works and procurement units.
Participants expressed gratitude to the university management for extending the training to non-teaching staff, describing it as a rare and commendable initiative.
“We feel valued. This training has exposed us to new knowledge that will improve our efficiency and productivity,” one of the participants said.
The conference, which commenced on February 1, is scheduled to run until February 5, 2026, further reinforcing DUFUHS’s commitment to human capital development and effective service delivery.
