By Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
So much has transpired in Edo’s public service in the course of the year 2022.
The public service reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration has birthed new innovations, enhanced by the State’s e-governance approach.
Every block that holds the civil and public service together has also been useful in making the service a worthy and efficient institution.
It is in light of this that the office of the Head of Service, Edo State, organized an end of year party/staff award ceremony as part of measures to boost staff morale, promote hard work and drive efficiency in the State’s public service.
The event which took place at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Edo State, had Permanent Secretaries, Directors and staff of allied Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Office of the Head of Service, in attendance.
The Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., in his opening remark, noted that a lot of changes have been brought aboard the service and those who have pioneered these changes and contributed their quota in achieving the great feat deserve to be appreciated.
According to Okungbowa, “I would like to thank you on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, for your contribution to the growth and development of the civil and public service in the year 2022. It has been a long year and you have shown remarkable improvement and resilience that clearly show you are worthy to be appreciated.
“A lot has happened this year as we intensified our efforts on the transformation trail and it was not an easy swing. But together and individually, we have worked hard to ensure the successes that we can boast of today”.
“I wonder what I would have done without your support; I wonder what improvement we would have been able to make to the system. You have been worthy partners in ensuring that we succeed. Together we have done so much more than we had thought we could achieve and for this I am immensely grateful”.
Speaking on the various reforms and feats of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration in the State’s civil and public service, Okungbowa said: “Before now, increment in minimum wage was always a product of agitation from labour. But this year May 1st, which is usually the day we celebrate workers in the State, the Governor announced a 33% increment in the salary structure of all civil servants without prompting from anyone.
“Salaries and pension entitlements are paid on or before the 26th of every month. Workers are enrolled in the Contributory Pension Scheme and Health Insurance Scheme that assure them of retirement benefits and access to quality health care respectively.
“We now have a conducive work environment that has ensured maximum productivity and efficiency in the public service, coupled with the various trainings and workshops organized by the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) to build capacity in our workforce, at no cost to civil servants. These can only be a mark of appreciation from a Governor that dearly loves civil and public servants”.
Okungbowa urged the workers not to relent in their good work as it has not only paid off for them alone, but also for every resident in the State, as civil servants remain a source of connection and interaction that the people have with government.
The event featured the presentation of awards, cash prizes and commendation letters to recipients in each of the allied departments under the Office of the Head of Service.
One of the awardees, Mr. Jackson Omoragbon, expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for creating the enabling environment for workers like him to explore their potential.
Omoragbon said: “It is an exciting moment for me; having to be recognized by your office for the efforts you have put in and be singled out from my department as one of the most competent, is a great honor for me. I appreciate the Office of the Head of Service. I must say that the Office is where you have a lot of very competent individuals, and a team of talents. I also want to use this medium to thank the Edo State Government for everything that has been put in place which has enabled me as an individual to explore my potentials”.
Giving the vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary (General Services), Office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Priscilla Aziegbemhin, noted that there would be no success story without the visionary leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Aziegbemhin said, “If we do not have a visionary Governor like Governor Obaseki, I do not think we will be celebrating today. Also I would like to acknowledge the Head of Service, Heads and staff of other directorates, without you there would be no success story. We urge everyone to do more next year”.
