ASABA/Nigeria: Sheriff Oborevwori has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers, announcing the approval of a 13th-month salary for civil servants in Delta State as part of measures to reward productivity and sustain a motivated public service.
The governor made the announcement on Tuesday at the 2026 Public Service Week Dinner and Awards Night in Asaba, where he also approved a threefold increase in the cash rewards for outstanding civil servants in recognition of excellence and dedicated service.
Describing the public service as the engine room of governance, Oborevwori said meaningful reforms can only succeed when workers are adequately motivated, supported and provided with an enabling environment to perform effectively.
He noted that the theme of this year’s Public Service Week, “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” resonates with the objectives of his administration’s MORE Agenda, which places premium on people-centred governance and efficient service delivery.
The governor commended Delta civil servants for their professionalism, resilience and unwavering commitment to implementing government policies and programmes across critical sectors, saying their contributions have remained central to the successes recorded by his administration.
Reiterating his pro-worker disposition, Oborevwori disclosed that requests relating to workers’ welfare always receive immediate attention.
“When I see any memo concerning the welfare of civil servants, I always approve it because I know the importance of having over 60,000 workers standing with this administration,” the governor stated.
Beyond the approval of the 13th-month salary, Oborevwori announced that the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters had been completed and would soon be inaugurated after the completion of the internal road network.
He also revealed that official vehicles had been procured for the state’s 11 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to enhance their effectiveness in the discharge of their duties.
The governor assured workers that affordable housing remains a priority of his administration, adding that government would continue to explore practical solutions and strategic partnerships to make home ownership more accessible for public servants.
He further disclosed that the salaries of the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries had been increased by more than 50 per cent as part of efforts to strengthen the leadership of the state’s public service.
Charging senior civil servants to preserve the integrity of the system, Oborevwori urged Permanent Secretaries and Directors to uphold professionalism, transparency and due process in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He described Permanent Secretaries as the institutional memory of government, reminding them that while political office holders come and go, the public service remains the enduring machinery of governance.
“You are the landlords in the system, while commissioners are tenants. Commissioners come and go, but the public service remains. Protect the system and always do the right thing,” he advised.
The governor congratulated recipients of the 2026 Public Service Awards and assured workers that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare through policies that enhance productivity, improve working conditions and strengthen service delivery across the state.
Earlier, the Mininim Oseji described the 2026 Public Service Week as an important platform for reflection, professional development, institutional collaboration and the celebration of excellence in the public service.
She commended Governor Oborevwori for his unwavering support for civil servants, noting that his administration’s worker-friendly policies had significantly boosted morale, enhanced productivity and repositioned the Delta State Public Service for greater efficiency.
Dr. Oseji urged public servants to embrace ongoing reforms with integrity, innovation and dedication, stressing that excellence remains the foundation of effective governance.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to outstanding civil servants. Mr. Abuga Dennis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources emerged as the Best Civil Servant Farmer, while Chinwe Atisele of the Hospitals Management Board and Mr. Reuben Udolu of the Ministry of Women Affairs received awards as the most punctual workers.
The award recipients received plaques and enhanced cash prizes from the governor in recognition of their exceptional commitment, diligence and outstanding contributions to the Delta State Public Service.
