Bayoko is Delta’s 11th Head of Service, sworn in

Okowa calls for commitment, professionalism in Civil Service

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Monday (13/06/16) swore-in Mr. Reginald Bayoko as the 11th  Head of Service (HOS) of the state, saying the public sector must be driven by the principles and values of good governance and professionalism.

Gov. Okowa congratulating the new HOS, Mr. Bayoko after the
latter took the oath of office.

According to Governor Okowa who spoke during the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Government House, Asaba, "we are desirous of a public sector driven by the principles and values of good governance, professionalism, transparency, fiscal discipline, timely and excellent service delivery and zero tolerance for corruption."

"I don't think there is anybody who does not agree that the rank and file of the civil service need a paradigm shift, this shift is needed more in the attitude and orientation of the workforce," the Governor said.  "I make bold to say that the civil service has never lacked qualified personnel; I believe we have enough of them in the system but, I must say, many civil servants are just not committed to their work which has led to absenteeism, unethical conduct, sharp practices and the ghost worker syndrome." The Governor emphasized.

 While congratulating Mr. Bayoko on his emergence as the Head of Service of the state, the Governor challenged him to "pursue an aggressive orientation for the workforce so that they can appreciate and key into the policy plans of this administration in order to achieve our stated goals of job creation, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development."

Bayoko and wife

"As Head of Service, your role in this vision is to build an efficient, disciplined and performance-driven civil service, critical to the successful implementation of our S.M.A.R.T agenda," the Governor said while eulogizing the immediate past Head of. Service, Mr Patrick Origho "for his faithful service to the state, not just as Head of Service but as a civil servant who played his part in moving the state forward."

Responding amid applause from the audience, Mr Bayoko thanked Governor Okowa for giving him the opportunity to serve the state as Head of Service promising to offer "useful suggestions on the recruitment and appointment process, capacity building, performance management, promotion, including conduct, integrity and discipline."

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the new Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko to sustain remarkable programmes initiated by his predecessors in office.

The Governor made the call yesterday (13/06/16) when the immediate past Head of Service, Mr Patrick Origho paid him a valedictory courtesy visit at the Government House, Asaba.

Bayoko and his predecessor, Mr. Origho.

According to Governor Okowa, Mr Origho as Head of Service introduced some programmes to deepen the service one of which was breakfast meeting with Permanent Secretaries and civil servants which the Governor described as a fertile ground for the sharing of ideas without fear.

He observed that the change needed in the service must come from within with little external influence because we desire a robust civil service that is knowledge and focused-driven.

Governor Okowa commended Mr Origho for the effective ways he piloted the affairs of the service and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Mr Origho had earlier, told the Governor that he was on a ‘thank you visit for the opportunity to serve the state,” disclosing that he worked for 35 years and “as Head of Service, we ensured a civil service that is well focused and knowledge based; the person who is taking over from me understands the values and ethos of the service.”