BY SHULAMITE OWHOEKEVBO
The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reiterated his unwavering commitment to building a more efficient, transparent, and resilient public service, describing it as the backbone of good governance.
Governor Oborevwori made this assertion while serving as the Special Guest of Honour at the Delta State Civil Service Week Public Lecture, held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
“As we celebrate Civil Service Week, we may encounter various challenges, but we must be prepared to overcome them in order to deliver impactful services to our people,” the Governor stated.
Highlighting the relevance of this year’s theme, the Governor urged civil servants to transition from outdated, rigid bureaucratic practices to a more innovative, dynamic, and responsive public service culture that aligns with the M.O.R.E Agenda of his administration.
In her welcome address, the Head of Service of Delta State, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, commended the Governor for creating an enabling environment for the civil service to thrive. She also expressed appreciation to the guest speaker for honouring her invitation to participate in the programme.
Dr. Oseji outlined activities for the week-long celebration, which include a statewide broadcast held on Monday, June 23, 2025, a Juma’at service on June 27, an online quiz competition, a public lecture, a golf tournament, and a thanksgiving service scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025, to conclude the events.
She further revealed that of the 20-point agenda proposed by her office in support of the M.O.R.E Agenda and to mark her first 100 days in office, 19 initiatives have already been implemented. She encouraged civil servants in attendance to pay close attention to the lecture and actively engage in the discussions.
Delivering the keynote lecture on the theme, “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future,” guest speaker Dr. Olusegun Adekunle emphasized the need for public servants to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment where resources are limited but public expectations continue to rise.
He described civil servants as the engine room of governance and stressed the importance of creating a learning bureaucracy capable of adjusting to change, building institutional goals, and driving transformational growth beyond 2030.
Dr. Adekunle urged civil servants to build stronger relationships with their political principals by aligning visions, cultivating administrative competence, and strengthening institutional legitimacy.
Acknowledging challenges such as political interference, inadequate funding, and overlapping roles, he recommended adopting alternative approaches that welcome diverse perspectives, foster accountability, and build public trust.
He concluded by noting that adaptive leadership is key to delivering public value — ensuring that institutions effectively meet the needs of citizens through impactful service delivery.