As part of rewarding excellence and dedication in the Civil and Public Service, the Edo State Office of the Head of Service has held its maiden edition of the Best Staff of the Month Award, honouring three members of staff for outstanding service delivery.
The event which held at the Government House in Benin City, saw the emergence of Mr. Enehikhare Akenzuwa as the overall winner, while Mr. Ben Otamere, Esq. and Mr. Victory Aganmwonyi were named second and third runners-up, respectively.
In his opening remarks, the Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, said the initiative was birthed out of a desire to foster a culture of recognizing consistent and high performing staff in the Civil and Public Service, emphasizing that while the recognition came with a cash reward, the most important aspect was the acknowledgment of hard work and dedication.
According to the Head of Service, “We have always celebrated the Staff of the Year, but we felt it necessary to go further by recognizing exemplary staff on a monthly basis. This is about saying, “well done” to those who put in the work. It is a recognition of your effort, passion, determination and commitment. This serves as an open acknowledgement of how it is adding up to our overall performance as an organisation”.
Encouraging other members of staff to emulate the exemplary performance, Dr. Okungbowa stated that the process of selecting the best three was tedious. In his words, “It was difficult to select just three winners because everyone here is doing exceptionally well. I’m not just saying this to please you, I am saying it from the bottom of my heart because I have seen how much work you put in. If you did not win today, do not be discouraged, work harder and you could win next month. This award is open to all”.
Acknowledging the oversight supervisory roles of the Office’s Top Management, the HOS stated, “I want to particularly thank the Permanent Secretary, who is also the Dean of the College of Permanent Secretaries, for how excellently she has handled the affairs of this Office. I am very pleased and glad, and of course, the Director of Shared Services, for the commitment, passion and support. Both of you have contributed in running the affairs of this Office. I really must commend your unwavering commitment and dedication. I could not have wished for more. I am very grateful”.
The Head of Service further urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to replicate the initiative, restating that it aligns with the ongoing transformation of the Civil and Public Service from a transactional to a strategic system.
“We are constantly learning, improving and building a more responsive service. Recognition such as this on a monthly basis will motivate staff to aim higher”. He concluded.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of General Services, Ofice of the Head of Service, Barr. (Mrs.) Priscilla Aziegbemhin, while urging awardees to see the awards as a challenge to do even more, commended the novel initiative, describing it as yet another innovative step under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Okungbowa.
“We are a family. Please let us try as much as possible to live as a family. We are as strong as the weakest person and as weak as the strongest person, so, we need to bring each other up. On deciding who gets this award, it was quite cumbersome and competitive, because everybody deserves it but there just has to be a winner. We had to just single three persons out, so, if you are not among these three persons, know you are also appreciated.
“Those awarded today should know this is a call for more work. Do not rest on your oars, work harder. You can be staff of the month for every month if you stay committed. The criteria used in the selection process included punctuality, teamwork, accountability, IT knowledge, and general performance, and they graded high. There was no bias”. Mrs. Aziegbemhin said.
On his part, The Director of Shared Services, Mr. Oaikhena Edionnweme, reinforced the transparency of the selection process, noting that the award cut across all cadres and grade levels.
According to him, “The criteria were applied thoroughly and without fear or favour. Please note that this award is not limited to any particular category of staff, everyone had a fair chance”.
Representing the Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Kingsley Ireotoi, commended the Head of Service for prioritizing staff welfare and creating a culture of recognizing performance in the Service. “This is the best way to acknowledge diligence and commitment. Where staff are appreciated, there is no room for grumbling or agitation. The Edo State Chapter of the NLC commends this effort and would wish to express our deepest appreciation for the support and commitment shown by your Office to staff welfare across the State”. He said.
On behalf of the awardees, Mr. Akenzua appreciated the Management for the recognition, pledging his resolve to put in more work.
”I want to sincerely appreciate our amiable HOS, the Permanent Secretary, and the DSS, for deeming me worthy to receive the award of the Best Staff of the Month of July amongst other hardworking staff. Working at the Office of the Head of Service and directly under the HOS has been the best part of my career in the Service yet, as it has helped me redefine my capacity.
”I have learnt and am still learning from everyone in the Office and this award is a call to put in more effort. Together, we can and will transform the Edo State Civil and Public Service under the leadership of our visionary and extraordinary, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa”.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of cash awards to the three awardees, amid cheers and applause from their colleagues.
Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
Public Relations Officer
Office of the Head of Service
Edo State
PHOTO CAPTION
L-R: The Second Runner up, Mr. Ben Otamere Esq.; Director of Shared Services, Mr. Oaikhena Edionnweme; Head of Service, Edo State, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; Permanent Secretary Directorate of General Services, Barr (Mrs.) Priscilla Aziegbemhin; The Best Performing Staff of the month of July, 2025, Mr. Enehikhare Akenzuwa; the Third runner up, Mr. Victory Aganwonyi during the Maiden Edition of the Best Staff of the Month Award hosted by the Office of the Head of Service.
