As part of the well contrived initiatives to elevate reward mechanism in the Civil Service, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, on Monday, showered cash gifts on 15 workers deemed to have demonstrated diligence, honesty and dedication in the performance of their statutory duties.
Speaking during the award presentation held for the staff of her office, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant (Media), Victor Ogunje, said the gesture was in line with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s tenets that workers who exhibit sacrifices and dedication should be recognised and rewarded.
Eulogizing the staff for their productivity and vibrancy, which makes her office contributes meaningfully to the development of the State, Mrs Afuye, said these beneficiaries were found worthy in character , punctuality, delivery and dedication to duties, and deserved the honour.
She vowed that the sacrifices made by any staff to ramp up the productivity of the office shall be recognised accordingly, saying this remains the best impetus to longstanding culture of redundancy, laziness and carefree attitude that had pervaded the system .
She said: “Today’s event is to confirm the adage that says: nothing is hidden under the heaven. People are watching you , your actions and your character. It is also a confirmation that there is reward for all deeds, if not here on earth, certainly in heaven.
“The need to rescue the service from the carefree attitude that have pervaded the public service gave birth to this idea of award of excellence in our office. It is to encourage the staff to be alive to their responsibilities despite the challenges that are confronting them in the performance of their official roles.
“To the successful awardees, whatever we are giving you might be equal to the level of commitment you have displayed. It is however a sign that your work has nor gone unnoticed. So, accept it as a mark of our appreciation to honour you for making the office proud”.
Mrs Afuye remarked further that the gesture was expected to motivate other workers to give their best and improve their loyalty and productivity during their official stay in the office.
In his submission, the Permanent Secretary , Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, said the awardees were subjected to careful and indepth scrutiny and perceived to be topnotch in their services before being listed as worthy of the awards.
The Permanent Secretary added that in line with the focus of the Governor Oyebanji’s administration, the Deputy Governor’s Office will continually reward workers, who displayed honesty and dedication to duties, to serve as a morale booster to officers.
Going down memory lane, Opeyemi, said the Deputy Governor, had in a few months ago demonstrated similar gesture, by approving a training seminar for workers, to broaden their horizons and sharpen their knowledge about civil service for better efficiency.
“We are here to reward diligence, hardwork, honesty and loyalty. It was the Deputy Governor that mooted the idea. This showed that the current government is worker- friendly. This showed that the government has the spirit to reward excellence.
“When those who are doing well are being celebrated, then those who are not doing well should also have a change of hearts. Change your ways and do well, because there is a need for us to be hardworking and loyal to a government that is committed to our welfare”.
Commending the government for the motivational initiative, the star- awardee, Mrs Olubusola Ayo-Ajayi, saluted the Deputy Governor and other management staff for counting them worthy, promising that they will recommit themselves to duties to give the office a facelift in terms of productivity rating.