By: Emmanuel Abi Couson
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on civil servants in the state not to lobby for appointments or promotion in the course of their careers.
Governor Oborevwori made the call in his speech during the retirement valedictory lecture organised in honour of the outgoing Permanent Secretary in charge of Government House Affairs, Directorate Government House and Protocol, Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, which was held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
The governor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said civil servants should not put needless pressure on those in positions of authority to get appointments or be promoted, stressing that in due season, based on their performance, they would be duly recognised.
According to him, they should be patient and do their job in such a way that their performance would speak for them, saying that lobbying for appointments or promotion was not a good option to adopt.
While urging them to always concentrate on their duties and allow the system assess and reward them, the governor harped on the need for them to render service selflessly to the public.
He described Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje as a affable, easy going, selfless, energetic and committed civil servant, pointing out that during the short period that he worked with him as Permanent Secretary, Government House, all administrative works were seamlessly handled .
Oborevwori disclosed that he never had complaints over Ogidi-Gbegbaje’s handling of intricate, and sometimes, sensitive, issues in the Government House, stressing that he had mastered the job like it was a subject that he assiduously studied in school.
“During the short period that he worked with me as Permanent Secretary, Government House, all administrative works were seamlessly handled .
“I never had complaints over his handling of intricate, and sometimes, sensitive, issues in the Government House. He has also mastered the job like it was a subject that he assiduously studied in school.
“The high point of his service is the judicious counsel that comes with every service that he rendered.
“As he bows out, his dignified and simple manner of carrying out all his responsibilities, coupled with his frequent offer of advice on how best an administrative process and procedure should be carried out would be dearly missed.
“Sir Eddy’s performance and attendant rise poses a great challenge to officers, high and low, who are still in the service.
“I urge all of you to learn the enviable etiquette and good mannerisms of the outgoing Permanent Secretary.
“I, therefore, urge every civil servant, in fact, every public officer, to render service selflessly. Every appointment is people-centred. You should always endeavour to bring yourself to the level of the people you serve.
“That way, you will initiate positive communication between you and members of the public who you are appointed to serve.
“Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje, you have successfully raised the stake in high level performance and human relations. I sincerely hope that you have brought up officers in all the levels you passed who have copied these attributes because it will be to the credit of the civil service that you are leaving behind.
“Dear Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje, you are retiring but obviously not tired. Do not hesitate to answer our call when we need your services,” the governor said.
Earlier in his remarks, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas who presided over the ceremony, said retirement was an important milestone in the life of any civil servant, even as he described Ogidi-Gbegbaje as an uncommon and exceptional civil servant who seamlessly delivered even under pressure.
Hon. Agas pointed out that the essence of the lecture was to honour a man who had dedicated his life to rendering committed and diligent services to the state and humanity, adding that Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje was a quintessential civil servant with institutional memory.
“If the civil service is given the right atmosphere and the necessary tools, the civil service will produce many Eddys,” the Chairman said, even as he charged civil servants in the state to emulate the inspiring qualities of Eddy in the discharge of their duties.
Also speaking, the state Head of Service, Sir Reginald Bayoko, who lauded Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje’s contributions to the state civil service, said he was a consummate civil servant, a man of vision and courage who served the state with unblemished records.
Bayoko stated that the retiring Permanent Secretary had been a champion of good governance, adding that his journey through the civil service had been marked with great accomplishments, even as he wished him well in his future endeavours in life and prayed God to grant him good health and long life.
On his part, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the first time he met Ogidi-Gbegbaje was in 2015 when he was appointed as the Chief Press Secretary to the then Governor of the State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
He stated that working with the retiring Permanent Secretary was seamless, adding that he had indelible memories working with him, even as he described him as a master of administration.
Responding, Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje, who was highly elated, thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, past governors James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan and the immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for their confidence in the state civil service.
He, also paid tribute to past and present Heads of Service of the state, members of the College of Permanent Secretaries in the state and retired Permanent Secretaries as well as those who mentored him in the course of his career in the service.
Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje, who was full of gratitude to God for the opportunity given to him serve and retire from service in good health, harped on the need for the service to encourage officers through training (both in-house and outside) so as to give them the unique opportunity to contribute their quota to the growth of the service.
While urging civil servants to take charge and be accountable for their actions, he said that he was leaving a legacy for delegation of duty, conviviality and intelligent officers, adding that when spurred more through training and re-training programmes, the service would do better.
During the well attended ceremony, a former Head of Service in the state, Sir Okey Ofili, delivered the retirement valedictory lecture titled “A Consumate Civil Servant Who Came, Saw, Conquered And Finished Strong, Hands Over The Baton Of Leadership.”
