… HOS Dedicates Award to Okpebholo, PSs, Edo Public Servants
The Body of Permanent Secretaries (PSs) in the Edo State Civil Service has congratulated the Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, on his emergence as the Best Head of Service in the Federation’s Public Service Reforms and Institutional Leadership.
At the reception organised in honour of the HOS, with the theme, “Edo Pride, Nigeria’s Reformer: Celebrating a Legacy of Service, A Future of Possibilities,” the Body described the award as not merely an honour conferred on an individual, but a national validation of the remarkable transformation taking place in the Edo State Civil Service.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Okungbowa expressed profound appreciation for the pleasant and overwhelming surprise reception. He dedicated the prestigious award to the Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for his unwavering support towards building internal capacity and promoting homegrown reforms in the State Civil Service. According to him, the award was not only the product of years of hard work but also a reflection of the Governor’s commitment and passion for the Public Service.
“This award, apart from being a product of years of hard work, is also significantly a product of Sen. Monday Okpebholo’s grace, commitment and passion for the Service. The progress we have made with the Edo State Public Service Retooling and Enhancement Programme (EdoPREP) has been possible because the Governor gave us the support we needed. Edo Cloud, which is being developed and implemented internally, is also a product of his commitment to building internal capacity. I dedicate this award to him and appreciate him for all he has been doing,” the HOS stated.
Dr. Okungbowa also dedicated the recognition to permanent secretaries, functioning permanent secretaries, directors and members of staff across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), noting that the success of the various reform initiatives was a collective effort. He submitted that it was the Governor who created the enabling environment for the Edo State Civil Service to excel and gain the National recognition.
“Without you, there would be no me. Everything I have done; I have done through all of you in the Service. I have not worked alone; the glory today also belongs to you. I simply went to receive the award on behalf of everyone in our MDAs. I think you all deserve an applause too,” he stated.
Dr. Okungbowa also appreciated the Bureau of Public Service Reforms for recognising the efforts of the Edo State Civil Service and for the rigorous and transparent selection process that culminated in Edo State emerging as the best in the category of Public Service Reforms and Institutional Leadership among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Efosa Aisien, described the HOS as a visionary reformer, whose leadership has fundamentally changed the trajectory of the Edo State Civil Service. He said the HOS’ relentless drive for the implementation of EdoPREP, the transition to the Edo Cloud electronic governance platform and the digitalisation of file movement, challenged civil servants to leave their comfort zones to embrace innovation.
“There were days some of us wondered whether the pace of your reforms was too fast for a traditional civil service. Today, the Presidency has officially answered that question for us: you were not moving too fast; you were simply taking Edo State to the future before the rest of the Country could catch up,” Dr. Aisien said.
Dr. Aisien assured the HOS of the unwavering support of the Body of Permanent Secretaries towards the implementation of ongoing reforms. In his words, “We stand solidly behind your vision and will continue to drive these reforms down to the very last junior officer in our respective Ministries.
“The premier Head of Service in the Federal Republic of Nigeria sits right here in Benin City. You went, competed with the finest in the land, and you conquered. Welcome back home,” Dr. Aisien declared.
Describing the award as both a recognition and a call to greater service, Dr. Aisien concluded, “This trophy sitting before us today is a double-edged sword. An award for ‘Best Reformer’ is not a permission slip to go to sleep; it is an eviction notice from complacency.”
The event featured the formal presentation of the award and goodwill messages from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Joseph Nyamal, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Mr. Lucky Adebudo, who both commended HOS’ exceptional leadership and commitment to building a future-ready Edo State Civil Service.
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