By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, has attributed the achievements of his administration to the grace and faithfulness of God, while commending civil servants across the state for their dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to public service.
The Governor made the remarks on Sunday during an Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Service held at the Church of God Mission International, Asaba, as part of activities marking the 2026 Civil Service Week celebration.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori said the thanksgiving service provided an opportunity for government and civil servants to return all glory to God for His goodness and the progress recorded in the state.
Drawing inspiration from Psalm 100:4, he noted that the gathering was in obedience to the biblical injunction to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise,” stressing that every accomplishment of his administration had been made possible by divine grace.
“We acknowledge that every achievement we celebrate is by His grace, and we thank Him for the men and women whose dedicated service continue to advance the work of government in our dear state,” the Governor stated.
He praised civil servants for their invaluable contributions to governance, describing them as the engine room of government whose efforts, though often unnoticed, continue to drive development across the state.
“I warmly congratulate our civil servants for your dedication, professionalism and steadfast commitment. Though much of your work is done quietly, its impact is evident in the progress we continue to make across the state. I sincerely thank you for your service,” he said.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized that public service remained a sacred trust that demanded integrity, diligence, accountability and selfless service. He urged workers to remain committed to putting the interests of the people above personal considerations while carrying out their official responsibilities.
According to him, the state government would continue to prioritize the welfare of workers, strengthen capacity development programmes and pursue reforms aimed at building a more efficient, responsive and results-driven public service.
The Governor also expressed appreciation to religious leaders for their prayers and spiritual guidance, describing their support as invaluable to the peace, stability and development of the state.
He called for continued prayers for God’s wisdom upon leaders, peace in communities and sustained prosperity for Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.
“As we return to our various duties, may we do so with renewed faith, fresh strength and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he added.
Earlier in her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Mininim Oseji, expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for creating an enabling environment for the civil service to flourish through deliberate reforms and worker-focused policies.
Speaking on the theme of the 2026 Civil Service Week, “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” Oseji said the state government was implementing practical measures aimed at repositioning the civil service for greater effectiveness and sustainability.
According to her, one of the key aspects of the ongoing reforms is a comprehensive reorientation programme designed to help civil servants recognize their strategic importance in governance and nation-building.
“We want civil servants to understand that they are very significant in governance. The office, the desk, the corner where they work is their country, their state and their constituency. They must bring out the leadership, innovation and problem-solving skills in them,” she said.
The Head of Service disclosed that her office was also providing guidance and support to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to help them maximize available resources and overcome operational challenges.
She noted that many public institutions often focus on limitations rather than opportunities, stressing that effective monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and improved service delivery frequently require commitment and skill more than financial resources.
Oseji further urged workers to remain resilient in the face of challenges, explaining that resilience was critical to achieving measurable outcomes that could be tracked and evaluated over time.
She said the ultimate goal was to build not only a resilient civil service but also a sustainable one capable of transferring institutional knowledge and values to future generations.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. Dr. Eric Nwachukwu urged Christians to maintain unwavering faith in God regardless of prevailing circumstances.
He encouraged worshippers to focus on God’s goodness rather than their challenges, assuring them that God works through every situation for the benefit of His children.
“You don’t need any evidence to know that God is working. Stop focusing on your troubles and keep believing in the goodness of God because God uses everything for your good,” the cleric said.
The thanksgiving service attracted a large gathering of government officials, political appointees and civil servants, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, who was represented by Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Christopher Osakwe, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other senior public servants.
The event served as a fitting spiritual climax to the 2026 Civil Service Week celebration, reinforcing the values of gratitude, integrity, resilience and excellence that underpin the ongoing transformation of the Delta State Public Service.