By Sunday Apah
During the 2025 Public Service Week in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emphasized the urgent need for improved public service delivery to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
At a public lecture hosted by the Office of the Head of Service, themed “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future,” the governor highlighted the significance of enhancing institutional capacity, utilizing knowledge effectively, and fostering accountability to spur development.
Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed the state’s commitment to revitalizing the public service through comprehensive human capital development as part of his administration’s MORE Agenda.
He assured civil servants that his government is fully committed to their welfare. “We are investing in new skills, modern methodologies, and behavioral transformations to ensure that our workforce is prepared to tackle both current and future challenges.
“We must enhance public service delivery to build a sustainable future for Delta State,” he stated.
The governor noted that his administration had set a positive example by organizing a dinner for civil servants, which underscores its commitment to their well-being.
He also pointed out that Delta is among the first states in Nigeria to implement the new minimum wage, reflecting his administration’s dedication to improving the lives of its citizens. “I encourage every public servant to respond to this commitment with increased loyalty, dedication, and a focused effort toward achieving the government’s objectives,” Oborevwori urged.
Regarding the theme of the lecture, he reiterated the critical role of the civil service in driving transformation and expressed confidence that with the right resources, mindset, and leadership, Delta would not only meet but exceed its targets.
In a noteworthy display of support for excellence, Governor Oborevwori presented cash prizes of N500,000 each to two outstanding winners of the Public Service Quiz Competition, celebrating merit and reinforcing his commitment to nurturing a culture of excellence within the public service.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Dr. Minnie Oseji, outlined the week’s events, which included broadcasts, a Friday prayer service, an online quiz, a public lecture, a golf tournament, and a thanksgiving service. She noted that many quiz winners were from the Post Primary Education Board, leading to calls for future categories to be separated.
She further emphasized significant advancements in civil service reform, including the near completion of a 20-point agenda aligned with the MORE Agenda, and mentioned efforts to restore a 10% IGR allocation to revenue-generating ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Dr. Oseji stated that initiatives like digitization, performance monitoring, and enhanced training frameworks have been implemented to modernize the service and expressed optimism that with continuous reforms, increased transparency, and improved security, Delta State will attract more foreign investment.
