By: Emmanuel Abi Couson
Former Governor James Onanefe Ibori set the trajectory for the capital and human development of Delta State which Drs Uduaghan and ,Okowa as well Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori built on that has fostered harmony between political leaders and civil servants within the state .
Sir Edwin Ogidi Gbegbaje, the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of the Government House and Protocol, stated this during a public lecture held to mark his retirement and valedictory session at the Unity Hall in Asaba.
He also advised civil servants in the State to prioritise confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards stressing the importance of civil servants conducting themselves with a high level of integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest and consistently treating all individuals fairly and impartially.
Gbegbaje’s statements were made in the presence of a committee of friends, admirers and mentees who organised the event.
He expressed gratitude to his superiors and higher-ups throughout his time as a Junior Administrative Officer in the former Bendel State Civil Service, spanning 1989 to 1991. He then continued to serve as a mid-level manager in the Delta State Civil Service following the state’s creation in 1991, up until 2010. Gbegbaje then moved on to hold a senior government position upon his appointment as Permanent Secretary in 2010, a role he fulfilled until his official retirement after 35 years of dedicated service on January 3, 2024.
In addition, Gbegbaje conveyed his surprise at the outpouring of support and well-wishing messages he received from friends, colleagues, ancestors and supporters as they congratulated him on his upcoming retirement.
He found solace and amazement in the kind words and praises from others, feeling deeply honored by the widespread participation of both young and old individuals from Delta who came together to celebrate his career. Despite being physically distant, he eagerly followed the proceedings of the events leading up to this day.
He emphasised that the government would continue to unwaveringly support all civil servants. Through the channels of mentorship that he and his colleagues established, they aim to pass on the principles of efficiency, effectiveness and serviceability to the next generation of dynamic, vibrant and results-oriented officers.
He said all that was needed from them is the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. They should also be motivated and encouraged through state sponsorship to participate in relevant top management courses, both locally and internationally, in order to improve their performance.
He expressed gratitude to Chief James Onanefe Ibori for creating the conducive environment and infrastructure for human capital development, as well as for his open-door policy of inclusiveness, which has fostered a tradition of harmony between the political leaders and the civil servants in the state.
This tradition, he said, had been maintained through subsequent administrations, from Dr. E Eweta Uduaghan’s tenure to the purposeful leadership of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the current administration under the leadership of Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori. He prayed for the success of the current and future administrations.
