By Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
BENIN CITY — The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, has commended staff of the Office of the Head of Service for their growing enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to duty, describing the development as a positive sign of the impact of ongoing reforms in the State Public Service.
Dr. Okungbowa spoke during the July and August editions of the Staff of the Month Award ceremony held at the Conference Room of the Office of the Head of Service, Government House, Benin City.
Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi emerged as the Staff of the Month for July, while Thomas Atiku and Faustina Omiyi emerged as first and second runners-up respectively.
For August, Precious Nwaeke and Aisosa Treasure Osayabamwen emerged as joint Staff of the Month winners, while Itohan Ikhide and Confidence Oyakhilome Oriazowan took the first and second runner-up positions respectively.
Speaking at the ceremony, the HOS said the recognition programme was introduced not only to celebrate outstanding officers but also to promote a culture of hard work, professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement within the Public Service.
He said staff recognition remained an important component of the reform agenda in the State, stressing that officers who demonstrate commitment and excellence should be encouraged and celebrated as role models for their colleagues.
According to Okungbowa, the effectiveness of the Public Service depends largely on the attitude and commitment of individual officers.
He urged workers to approach their duties with renewed enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility, reminding them that their roles constitute a service to the people of Edo State.
The HOS further noted that every interaction between public officers and their colleagues, superiors, subordinates or members of the public contributes to the image and reputation of the Public Service.
He assured staff that the Staff of the Month initiative would continue to encourage healthy competition, motivate officers and inspire improved performance.
Okungbowa, however, cautioned that excellence should not be limited to periods when officers are being considered for recognition, but should become a permanent feature of the work culture.
“When we recognize people for doing well, we are sending a message that hard work matters. We want our officers to know that their contributions are seen, valued and appreciated,” he said.
Earlier, in a lecture titled “Building the Culture of Professionalism, Integrity and Excellence in Service,” Mr. Enehikhare Akenzua charged civil servants to understand their responsibilities and uphold the standards expected of public officers.
Akenzua urged staff to remain conscious that their conduct represents the Office of the Head of Service and the wider Edo State Public Service.
He emphasized the importance of accountability and integrity, urging officers to always do the right thing, even in the absence of supervision.
“Know your responsibilities. Whatever is done must be recalibrated across the service. Treat every interaction as a reflection of the Office of the Head of Service,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of teamwork, noting that every deliverable should be regarded as a collective product and that responsibility for quality rests with every officer involved in the process.
Akenzua advocated a citizen-centred approach to public service, reminding officers that the ultimate purpose of government is to meet the needs of the people.
He advised staff with grievances or concerns to use established administrative channels to seek redress rather than resorting to inappropriate means.
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, the July Staff of the Month, Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi, expressed appreciation to the HOS for recognizing their contributions while they carried out their official responsibilities.
Obamwonyi described the recognition as a strong motivation to do more, thanking the HOS for creating an environment where staff are encouraged to contribute meaningfully and are appreciated for their efforts.
She said the programme had reinforced the belief among officers that their contributions were noticed and valued, adding that the recognition would inspire the award recipients to sustain high standards of professionalism while encouraging other officers to remain committed to excellence in their respective duties.
