The Kogi State Government says it will forever remain grateful to its Civil Service, not only for the supportive and indispensable role it has played in the growth of the state but for showing understanding in the face of the grave challenges that have confronted the administration.
Governor Idris Wada stated this at a special Christian Interdenominational Church Service to mark the 2015 Civil Service Week held at the Knowledge of the Truth Ministry, Lokoja.
The Governor who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, disclosed that the administration assumed office not only at the commencement of the full implementation of the minimum wage in the state, but it has strived to bear the huge cost differential in the face of rapidly dwindling resources.
The governor explained that In the face of all the challenges of meeting it’s obligation to the workforce, described as commendable the feat for the Civil Service population to gather and offer thanks to God as enjoined in the scriptures for christians to give thanks God in all situations, moreso as God has given the workers the grace to be alive, well and making progress in their careers.
Capt Wada urged the workers to always focus and imbibe the work ethics of God, by working tirelessly to create the earth and has been working to sustain it.
The governor further charged the workers to imbibe the lessons from the story of the ten virgins as an eternal reference in diligence at work urged workers to take solace in the admonition of Galatians 6:9: for their commensurate reward ” And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not”.
The governor urge the workers to renew their commitment to their various official responsibilities for the overall good of the government and the people of the state.
The governor commend the theme of this year’s Civil Service week, which is “The Role of Public Service in Women Empowerment, Innovation and Accessible Service delivery”. Said the Kogi State Civil Service has a good record of equitable gender parity development said it should be sustained and encouraged.
Capt Wada charged the service to take the issue of availability with seriousness said it has been observed that many civil servants have almost turned their appointments to part time assignments.
While noting that there cannot be effective and accessible service delivery where the service provider is not available as and when required described the other leg of the theme of the Civil Service week” innovation” as important, stressed that while government is committed to training and re-training within available resources, of personnel will be encouraged to innovate through self development; taking advantage of various electronic platforms, such as the Internet, e-library and on-line academic and instructional programmes.
The governor congratulated and commended Dr. Moses Atakpa for his exemplary leadership and reiterated the appreciation of government to civil servants. The governor encouraged civil servants in the state to do all that is possible to restore the service to its old glory, so that the right legacies can be bequeathed to succeeding generations.
Earlier in a remarks, Dr Moses Atakpa, Kogi State Head of Service said the service has been repositioned for greater service delivery, commended the Kogi State Government for meeting its responsibilities to workers in the midst of dwindling financial challenge.
The HoS, appealed to workers to strive for excellence, assuring that issues of training and other encouraging incentives that will increase productivity will be improved upon.
Atakpa described women as change agents, said the 2015 civil service week is geared towards making women put their best in work place.
Highlights of the service was a thanksgiving service by workers in the state civil service who thanked God a peaceful working environment.
