From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has urged permanent secretaries to uphold accountability, transparency, and professionalism as the state works to improve governance and service delivery.
The governor gave the charge while declaring open a two-day Strategic Leadership and Orientation Retreat for Permanent Secretaries, organised to strengthen leadership and institutional performance in the Edo State Civil Service.
He asked the officials to resist corruption, cut unnecessary bureaucracy, embrace innovation and make sure government policies translate into measurable benefits for Edo residents.
Okpebholo described permanent secretaries as the accounting officers of their ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), responsible for financial discipline.
“This is not merely a title; it is a clear duty for accountability, due process, proper record-keeping and ensuring that every expenditure delivers real value to the Edo people,” he said.
He also cautioned them against acting on instructions simply because someone claims, “the governor said.”
“Verify it. Confirm its authenticity. Ensure it complies with the law, financial regulations and established procedures,” he added.
The governor reminded the participants that governments come and go, but the civil service remains the custodian of institutional memory and continuity. He urged them to ensure timely decisions, faster movement of files, effective project monitoring and responsive public services.
Okpebholo said his administration had introduced several reforms in less than two years to reposition the civil service as an engine of effective governance. These include prompt payment of salaries, continuation of the 13th-month salary and an increase in the minimum wage from N70,000 to N75,000.
He added that promotion arrears had been eliminated, promotions were now timely and thousands of workers had been recruited or regularised.
The governor also highlighted EDO-PREP, designed to strengthen performance and capacity development, and EdoCloud, which supports the state’s paperless governance initiative. According to him, merit, inclusion and institutional accountability have become central to the reforms, and he urged participants to exchange ideas and commit to better service delivery across Edo.
Earlier, the head of service, Dr Anthony Okungbowa, commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare and strengthening the civil service.
Okungbowa recalled that shortly after assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo directed that salaries be paid by the 26th of every month. He also noted the introduction of the 13th-month salary in December 2024 and the later increase in the minimum wage.
He thanked the governor for approving 20 brand-new vehicles for permanent secretaries, describing the gesture as support for better administrative performance.
The head of service urged the participants to use the retreat to reflect on their responsibilities and develop practical strategies for improving service delivery. He said the success of the SHINE Agenda depends largely on how effective the MDAs are and challenged them to identify measurable outcomes their offices could deliver within three and six months.
Okungbowa described public office as a position of trust, insisting that permanent secretaries must show discipline, integrity and professionalism in managing public resources. He also welcomed the newly appointed permanent secretaries and urged them to uphold the values of the civil service.
Among those present at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Musa Ikhilor, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Yakubu Musa.
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