The desire of third world countries to comply with the global practices of enhancing the productivity of individuals, both in the private and public sectors of the economy has gingered some stakeholders in the business world in Nigeria to put in place a platform that can be a source of equipping these individuals with the modern way of developing them for the overall growth of the nation's economy.

Without doubt, the establishment of a world class international business school in Ilorin, Kwara State called Goshen International Business School, is anchored on the need to advance the course of individuals in the society, be it those still in the workforce either local, state and federal levels and those that are preparing to quit service such that they are prepared to be more useful to themselves and entire society at the end of the day.

This reason for this is not far- fetched as many individuals in both private and public sectors of the economy always find it difficult to institute a future plan that would assist them to prepare well either while in still service or after they may have retired from the service.

For instance, it is common knowledge that it is only a well-equipped civil service that can have the capability to facilitate rapid economic transformation as no amount of salary paid to them could make them as effective as the knowledge of economic transformation/policies that they would garner through various workshop and training that attend which will eventually be for the socio economic development of the society.

Therefore, Goshen International Business School has set out to provide civil servants and other categories of workers in the private sector as well as retirees enough training and exposures that could make them more efficient and effective in the task of accelerating the socio economic development of the society.

Effective Managers are a treasure to their organizations. Quite often they are made and not born. Organisations must invest in developing the managerial competencies of current and potential managers. Such development is often of greater value when carried out within the organization, stressing the required competencies in its peculiar situations.

The school which was recently commissioned by Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed is poised to add more values to the administration and governance of all levels of government so as to have a virile civil service and also to make the civil servants more productive in the day to day administration of the country.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the school, the chairman of the governing council of the institution, Mr. Bayo Atoyebi said: "We intend to contribute to the extension of the frontier of knowledge of the civil servants in terms of management training in key areas. This we hope would empower them to effectively transform and translate the states' economic policies into real development to the benefit of all.

"It is with this in mind that the school's management has taken a decision to partner state governments to help them develop the civil service by way of bringing the civil servants up to date in terms of the required knowledge to translate government policies into economic development".

"We live in a world that is rapidly changing. As customers and markets change, organisations must continually sow fresh seeds if they are to remain a viable force in tomorrow's markets. In this programme, we demonstrate how firms can cannibalize their existing franchises to build those required for tomorrow's success. The goal for managers, then, is to sustain current success while simultaneously building a new organization.

"There is no gainsaying the fact that Ilorin presents the best location ever possible to site the school, and which we have done and also equally important is the fact that the proponents of the school are stakeholders in the state who are willing to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

Atoyebi highlighted some of the benefits states stand to enjoy by coming on board with the institution. These according to him include human capital development, transformation of state civil service through training programmes, socio-economic research, environmental conservation, social awakening of the citizens, as well as advice on security.

Also speaking at the event, the state governor expressed delight that the school was taking off during his tenure as an additional value to the ones being created by his administration.

He said: "I am pleased to join you today for the commissioning of Goshen Business School here in Ilorin. The establishment of this Business School adds to the growing list of tertiary institutions in the state which also boasts of five universities, two polytechnic and several colleges of education. It is also noteworthy that Goshen Business School is poised to contribute to the economic activities in the state as its students and faculty patronize business across the state.

"I therefore congratulate the management, faculty and staff of Goshen Business School on the historical occasion of the institution's opening. I have no doubt in my mind that you will achieve and even surpass your goals in setting up this institution.

"I find it remarkable that Goshen Business School is focusing on strategic areas that are of priority interest to my administration. I assure you that the state government stands ready to collaborate with you in these and other areas of mutual interest to uplift our state and create a better life for our people.

"In line with this commitment, this administration intends to extend our hospital remodeling project to an additional five general hospitals in the state in our quest to ensure that more of our people can access affordable quality health care wherever the live in the state. The establishment of additional comprehensive and primary health care centres will also complement our efforts in this key sector."

Ahmed who was ably represented at the commissioning by his deputy, Elder Peter Kisra added: "We also look forward to collaborating with you in training civil servants for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in recognition of their pivotal role in the provision of good governance. Indeed, regular training and retraining is at the heart of our welfare program for civil servants in the state."