By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State government has reiterated its resolve to institutionalise excellence and professionalism in the administration of Local Government Councils in the state.
The Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto gave the assurance during the presentation of awards to deserving Local Government Council staff at the 2026 maiden edition of the Staff Merit Award held on Thursday, 15 January at the premises of the Commission in Benin City.
While pointing out that the awardess have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, Hon. Adjoto noted that the award is meant to recognise hardwork and further encourage the recipients and other local government staff to work hard and take the Local Government Service to enviable heights.
“Today’s event marks a significant milestone in the history of the Commission. It reflects our collective resolve to institutionalize a culture of excellence, dedication, integrity and professionalism within the Local Government Service Commission. This award is not only to recognize hard work but to re-energize the recipients to work harder to take the Local Government Service to an enviabie height.
“The Awardees today have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty which has helped the
commission in reshaping the Local Government Service. They represent what the Local government Service Commission stands for —discipline, accountability, efficiency and selfless service. I congratulate each and every awardee and urge you to see this honour as a call to higher responsibility. Let me emphasize that this initiative is part of the Cornmission’s broader reform agenda aimed at improving service delivery as promised during our familiarization tours to Councils in September, 2025.”
While commending Governor Monday Okpebholo for his commitment to public service reforms, Adjoto commended the management and staff of the Commission as well as members of the Award Committee for their diligence in arriving at the awardees.
“I wish to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, whose commitment to public service reforms will continue to inspire our work. To those who are not awarded today, don’t be discouraged as the Commission is determined to acknowledge hard work always. I also commend the management and staff of the Commission as well as members of the Award Committee for their diligence in ensuring a transparent and credible selection exercise. I urge all to recommit yourselves to the values of professionalism, teamwork and excellence as we collectively work together to strengthen the Local Government system for effective grass-root, development.”
In his remarks, the First Member and Commissioner representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the Commission, Comrade Evang. Francis Akhigbe urged the awardees not to renege in their dedication, commitment and sincerity of purpose in the discharge of their duties which according to him earned them the award.
Using biblical examples to buttress his admonishion, Evang. Akhigbe said, “A man after putting his hands to the plough and looking back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.
Those of you that are being awarded today, know it is because of your dedication, commitment and sincerity of purpose that this award is being given. Now that you have put your hand into that commitment and dedication, don’t go back, otherwise you could lose recognition.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner representing Edo South Senatorial District in the Commission, Chief Iyasere emphasised the imperatives of the awardees to continue to deepen their commitment to duty and urged them not rest in their oars. He urged other staff who did not make the award list this year to strive to win the award in the current year. He urged those who have been working hard but did not make the award list to continue to work hard and be deligent in their duties, pointing out that the eagle eye of the Commission will notice them.
The Commissioner representing Edo North Senatorial District, Hon. Abu in his remarks pointed out that the awardees deserve the award as a result of their dedication to duty. He urged the awardees to imbibe the admonishion of the Chairman of the Commission that the reward for hard work is more work and cautioned them to ensure that the award doesn’t distract them from doing more work. He assured those who have not been recognised that they’ll be recognised in the coming days and years.
In his remarks, Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Odigie who thanked the Chairman and members of the Commission for fulfiling the promises made to local government staff during their familiarisation tour, pledged the loyalty, dedication and support of members of staff of the Commission and the eighteen Local Government Councils to the success of the Hon. Adjoto led Local Government Service Commission.
“On behalf of the entire staff of the 18 LG councils I thank the chairman and members of the Commission for a promise fulfilled. The promises you made during the familiarisation tour in September is being fulfilled today. We thank you and give God all the glory. I want to assure you that everything that is contained in the Chairman’s speech is what I represent and we’ll promote and all the staff of the Local Government Service Commission and across the 18 LG will stand and strive to sustain because that is what we also profess, to be professional. I also want to assure you, Mr chairman sir, that we are prepared to embrace all the reforms the Commission is putting in place.”
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Mr. Benedict Ukato thanked the Chairman and members of the Commission for addressing all the concerns he raised during their familiarisation visit to his station at Esan North-East Local Government Council. He appreciated the Commission for initiating the various reforms that were promised during that tour adding that “Today’s award ceremony is one of those reformative plans of the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto.” He assured that the award will spur the awardees and other staff of Local Government across the state to do more.
The award, the first of its kind in Edo State Unified Local Government Service is made of two categories, the Best Worker Award and the Local Government Ambassadorial Award.
Those honoured with the awards are, Aigbedion Osazee from uhumwode, Osaigbovo Emmanuel Osamudiamwen from Egor and Ukponmwan Andrew from Igueben. Others are Lawani Gloria from Akoko -Edo, Eribo Ohigbudu, Asemota Joshua from Ikboba Okha, Mercy Yakubu from Etsako Central, Anthony Arende from Owan, Benedict Ukato from Esan North East and Amoteh Fredrick.
High point of the event was the presentation of awards to the awardees by the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto assisted by other members of the Commission.