For three civil servants whose unassuming dedication was observed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, what started out as a typical workday at the Edo State Government House transformed into a momentous occasion. The governor had been observing for months with intense personal interest rather than from a distance. He observed their timeliness, discipline, and one particularly memorable moment: a staff member walking quickly to work, determined not to be late.
Governor Okpebholo honoured the invisible dedication of the staff by giving three employees of the Government House and Protocol Directorate brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) as a token of appreciation for their outstanding work.
The governor clarified that the time of the presentation was deliberate while turning over the cars.
He said, “Today, I allowed this to happen late because I wanted to know whether you would close early so that you will miss your luck.”
He remembered the exact moment that had captured his interest.
“God kept you, and it has been your habit that you come early and close late. One day I saw you trekking and walking very fast to get to the office before time, so I took note of that. I watch carefully.
You deserve this, and I want you to continue in this manner. We are here to serve Edo people.”
The governor congratulated the beneficiaries for their consistency, stressing that brilliance in public service is frequently based on invisible sacrifices and personal discipline. Overwhelmed by the gesture, one of the beneficiaries, Mary Salami of the Protocol Department, could scarcely find words to convey her thanks.
“I’m so excited and short of words. I really don’t know what to say,” she told journalists.
She added, “I am very grateful to Mr. Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo. I pray that God Almighty will bless and prosper him and give him the grace to make the right decisions at all times.”
Mike Oshioshio from the ICT section and Sylvanus from the Protocol Department, both of whom work for the Government House Directorate, are the other recipients.
