As part of ongoing reforms to promote excellence by rewarding outstanding performance in the Edo State Civil Service, the Office of the Head of Service (HOS) has presented the Best Staff of the Month award for August, 2025 to three deserving officers with Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi emerging as the overall winner, while Eric Uwangbaoje Esebameh and Adesuwa Eke clinched the first and second runners-up.
Presenting the awards, the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa said the initiative which was introduced to complement the existing Worker of the Year award was designed to foster healthy competitiveness and highlight the value of hard work in the Service.
“This recognition is not to create antagonism, envy or disunity, but to unite us and to make us understand that there is indeed reward in hard work. All of you are doing extremely well. The applause I get as HOS really belongs to you, because without your efforts, we would not possibly be doing so well. Everyone here is important, no one is more important than the other, not even me”. He stated.
Dr. Okungbowa further explained that while all staff members had contributed significantly to the progress of the Service, the award specifically highlights individuals whose efforts stood out within the period.
“It only means that one or two of you put in a bit extra and your work became a bit more prominent. This does not mean others did not perform well. There are still several months ahead, and I encourage everyone to keep putting in their best. This reward is in recognition of your passion for your work and hard work, well done and congratulations”.
Dr. Okungbowa disclosed that to ensure fairness, staff who received recognition in the previous month were not considered in August.
“This is to democratize merit. I like to commend the incremental effort the winners of last month’s award have expended on their work despite the buzz of the recognition. It was very difficult to beat a winning team, but by giving others the opportunity, we created room for more people to be recognized for their efforts. I want you to know that when you reward people, they are motivated to do even better”. He explained.
The Head of Service commended his team of police officers, drivers and personal assistants, describing them as the “Unsung heroes” who sacrifice daily comfort to ensure the smooth running of the Office.
“It is not easy for a group of people to put their lives on the line. They come early, close late and are always on the move. I am extremely grateful for their dedication”. He said, while presenting them with tokens of appreciation.
Expressing her profound gratitude, Obamwonyi, the Best Staff of the Month of August, 2025, appreciated the HOS for believing in her and deeming her work worthy of such recognition. She stated, “This honor is quite overwhelming and unexpected. I sincerely thank the HOS, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, our Director, Mr. Edwin Edionnweme and other Directors for bestowing this great honour on me today. I also want to specially appreciate my partner on this project, Mr. Precious Nwaeke, whose support and contributions were invaluable. He was the backbone of this project. I do not think I can ever thank him enough, and lastly, to my esteemed colleagues, thank you for always encouraging our work and giving the nods”.
Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
Public Relations Officer
Office of the Head of Service
Edo State
L – R: The first runner up, Mr. Eric Uwangbaoje Esebameh; the Best Staff of the Month of August, 2025, Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi; the Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; and the second runner up, Adesuwa Eke during the monthly Best Staff Award for the month of August, 2025, held at the Office of the Head of Service, Government House, Benin City.
