Clerical officer in Vice President’s Office wins N1m cash prize
A clerical officer in the Transport Department of the Vice President’s Office, Innocent Ekhobhiye, won a one million naira cash prize for productivity on Monday, July 1, 2024.
The award ceremony, organised by the State House management as part of efforts to boost productivity among staff members working in the Presidency, recorded 38 State House staff, drawn from various departments, rewarded for their hard work and dedication to duty.
The Permanent Secretary of the State House, Olufunso Adebiyi, who revealed that three of the eight newly appointed permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service by President Bola Tinubu were from the State House Clinic, regarded their appointments as a testament to the high level of commitment and dedication of the State House staff.
He listed the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries from the State House, including Dr Obi Emeka Vitalis, Dr Keshinro Maryam Ismaila and Dr Emanso Umobong Okop.
Speaking at the Productivity, Recognition and Staff Reward Ceremony, the permanent secretary reiterated that the gesture was to acknowledge and reward the commitment of the State House staff, especially those who have demonstrated hard work, dedication to duty and value addition in service delivery.
According to him, it was a means of encouragement and motivation for other staff to strive for excellence.
Adebiyi pledged continuous training and retraining of staff, adding that under the State House digitalisation programme, all members of staff would receive the necessary training to enhance service delivery.
“We have already trained no fewer than 500 staff on the digitalisation programme, and in the coming days, every staff, from Grade Level 8 and above, will receive further training in groups of 50.
“We just completed our manpower defence at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and it went excellently well.
”Better training and better allowances are coming your way. However, better services are required from you,” he stated.
He also appealed to the staff to take their health very seriously.
”The State House Medical Centre is highly rated among the healthcare facilities of MDAs in the country. Please, let us take care of our health. Why must we go through avoidable health challenges? Let us avail ourselves of the health facilities available to us, and they are available,” he counselled.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, while congratulating the award recipients, expressed State House Management’s appreciation for the invaluable contributions of every staff member.
He explained that the financial reward from the Office of the Vice President was meant to further encourage staff to add value to their job schedules.
”It is very wonderful to meet the men and women who form the backroom and operations of the State House. Most times, it is only the political appointees that are visible, but those who do the heavy lifting behind the scenes are not known and recognised.
”I thank the Permanent Secretary for creating this opportunity for staff to be recognised, and I trust this is something that we can do from time to time to keep up your spirits and keep you motivated. We appreciate the work you are doing in the State House,” he said.
After the 38 awardees received their certificates and wrapped gifts from the State House, they each picked a wrapped note from a basket.
The staff member who picked up the note with “yes” won the one million naira prize.
