On behalf of the entire Edo State Civil and Public Service, I convey our profound gratitude to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, for his exceptional and steadfast commitment to the welfare, dignity, and professional elevation of the workforce.
In a remarkably brief span of just seven months in office, Your Excellency has exhibited a rare and commendable dedication to enhancing both the quality of life and the operational conditions of civil and public servants. Your proactive governance and empathetic leadership have rekindled hope and confidence throughout the service.
A most illustrative testament to this commitment is the recent elevation of the minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000—an impactful policy shift that underscores Your Excellency’s cognizance of the indispensable role played by the civil service in fostering good governance and sustainable socio-economic development in Edo State.
Moreover, the continuation and expansion of the health insurance initiative—originally inaugurated by the preceding administration—to now include orphans and other vulnerable members of society, reflects a deeply inclusive and humane vision. This extension affirms Your Excellency’s people-centric approach to governance and public health.
Of considerable note is the regularization of cleaners who were previously employed through outsourced arrangements. These individuals, now integrated into the civil service as full-time employees, benefit from the enhanced minimum wage and, more importantly, long-awaited job security. This laudable decision has resulted in the formal employment of 1,000 cleaners. Additionally, over 500 graduates have been recruited to fill critical vacancies, thereby enriching the service with professionals including educators, engineers, architects, legal practitioners, human resource experts, and health professionals.
In a similarly bold and restorative measure, Your Excellency facilitated the reinstatement of over 2,000 workers whose appointments were made in the final phase of the previous administration. This act of administrative justice has not only restored livelihoods but has also reinforced public trust in the credibility of government.
Under Your Excellency’s stewardship, salary payments have been unwaveringly punctual—consistently disbursed on or before the 26th of each month. Of particular significance was the prompt payment of November salaries just days after assuming office, and the early payment during the holy month of Ramadan, notwithstanding the increased wage bill occasioned by recent recruitments.
Your dedication to digital governance also deserves commendation. The ongoing evaluation of the e-Government and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a strategic initiative aimed at resolving systemic inefficiencies, diminishing over-reliance on external consultants, and cultivating robust internal capacity for enhanced service delivery.
Furthermore, the elevation of seven senior civil servants to the rank of Permanent Secretary has fortified leadership across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Simultaneously, the renewed investment in the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) has ushered in a new era of practical, workplace-focused training, drawing upon the wealth of expertise available within the service itself.
The policy of automatic employment for First Class graduates has not only been preserved but significantly enriched. These high-achieving individuals are now supported in their pursuit of postgraduate education—demonstrating Your Excellency’s commitment to cultivating a highly intellectual and globally competitive public service.
Infrastructure development is also underway, with the ongoing reconstruction of two major civil service buildings on Ezoti Street. This project will markedly improve the physical working environment and office accommodations for government personnel.
Your Excellency, we wholeheartedly commend your visionary leadership, reformist zeal, and deep-seated concern for the well-being of the civil service. Your actions have rejuvenated morale and invigorated our collective resolve to serve the people of Edo State with excellence, professionalism, and patriotic pride.
We pledge our unwavering loyalty and support as Your Excellency continues to advance a prosperous, inclusive, and people-focused Edo State.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God Bless Edo State.
Anthony Okungbowa, Esq.Ph.D (Constitutiinal Law) ; MBA (Artificial Intelligence)
Head of Service, Edo State.
