Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to accelerating public service reforms aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, declaring that the time for passive commitment is over.
Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Office of the Head of Service to commemorate the 2025 Civil Service Week, Governor Oborevwori emphasized the urgent need to strengthen institutional frameworks, build capacity, and promote a results-driven public service.
The lecture, themed “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future”, spotlighted the critical role of government institutions in meeting global benchmarks.
“Our public service must be agile, accountable, and equipped with modern tools to deliver timely and transformative results,” Oborevwori declared.
“Through the MORE Agenda, we are prioritizing human capital development, innovation, and behavioral reform across all sectors.”
The Governor noted that his administration had blazed a trail by hosting the first-ever civil service dinner and being among the first in Nigeria to implement the new minimum wage, signaling a clear dedication to workers’ welfare.
He urged civil servants to match government goodwill with renewed dedication, loyalty, and performance.
“We cannot afford to be sluggish. Every day counts in the race to 2030. Let every public servant become a change agent, committed to excellence, service delivery, and national development,” the Governor said.
Governor Oborevwori also presented N500,000 cash awards to two top winners of the Public Service Quiz Competition, an initiative he described as part of his effort to entrench a culture of merit and reward excellence.
Earlier in her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Minnie Oseji, outlined a series of activities marking the weeklong celebration, including a live radio broadcast, Jumat prayers, a digital quiz competition, a lecture series, a golf tournament, and a thanksgiving service.
Dr. Oseji acknowledged that most quiz winners were drawn from the Post Primary Education Board, suggesting the need for future category segmentation to ensure broader participation and fairness.
She also provided updates on public sector reforms, including:
Progress on a 20-point reform agenda aligned with the MORE Agenda.
Ongoing efforts to restore the 10% Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) plow-back for revenue-generating MDAs.
Increased digitization, training, and performance-monitoring mechanisms aimed at modernizing the civil service.
She expressed optimism that continued reforms would boost public confidence, enhance transparency, and position Delta State as an attractive destination for foreign investment.
The 2025 Civil Service Week served as a platform not just for celebration, but for introspection—highlighting both achievements and the need for sustained reforms to drive development across Delta State.
