By Reen Chidi
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged the newly appointed Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Charity Babigha-Ehimen, to uphold fairness, integrity and accountability in the administration of the state civil service, while prioritising workers’ welfare and efficient service delivery.
The governor gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of Babigha-Ehimen, urging her to leverage her wealth of experience in the public service to strengthen discipline, improve institutional performance and promote effective management across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Congratulating the new Head of Service, Oborevwori recalled that she joined the Delta State Civil Service in 1993 and rose through the ranks to become a director before her appointment as Permanent Secretary in 2019.
He urged her to bring the knowledge and experience acquired over the years to bear on her new responsibilities, particularly in fostering professionalism, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
“I expect you to put that experience to good use in your new role,” the governor said, calling on her to work closely with Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies to ensure that government institutions operate efficiently and in line with established standards.
Oborevwori emphasised that leadership in the civil service should extend beyond supervision to include mentorship, staff motivation and professional development.
“Your responsibility is not just to supervise the service, but to help our people work better and serve the public with pride,” he said.
He also urged Permanent Secretaries, directors and heads of MDAs to give the new Head of Service their full cooperation, noting that teamwork and a shared commitment to public service were critical to building a responsive and results-oriented bureaucracy.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Workers’ Welfare
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants, highlighting regular salary payments, sustained investment in training and capacity building, and the introduction of incentives aimed at boosting staff morale and productivity.
He explained that the state’s 13th-month salary initiative was designed to provide workers with meaningful financial support at the end of the year, rather than relying on the conventional distribution of food items.
Oborevwori further disclosed that his administration had approved the construction of 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries, alongside plans to establish a clubhouse for civil servants. He said the contract for the clubhouse was expected to be awarded soon.
The governor commended the immediate past Head of Service, Dr Minimie Oseji, for her contributions and dedication to the state, wishing her a peaceful and rewarding retirement.
He urged civil servants to remain diligent, honest and committed to their duties regardless of the prevailing political climate. He also appealed to political leaders and their supporters to reject intimidation and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
New HOS Unveils Four-Point Action Plan
In her response, Babigha-Ehimen expressed gratitude to the governor for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to discharge her duties with dedication, fairness and integrity.
She also promised to ensure the effective implementation of the administration’s MORE Agenda, with a focus on improving the quality of public service delivery across Delta State.
The new Head of Service unveiled a four-point strategic action plan designed to build a competent, digitally empowered, disciplined and productive civil service.
According to her, the plan will prioritise human capital development and digitalisation; workers’ welfare; improved internal collaboration; and stronger teamwork among Permanent Secretaries and heads of departments.
Babigha-Ehimen acknowledged the governor’s commitment to the welfare of public servants, citing the 13th-month salary initiative, capacity-building programmes, pension and retirement benefits, and the prompt payment of salaries.
She expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among government officials and civil servants would strengthen institutional efficiency and support the delivery of better services to the people of Delta State.
