By DADA AYOKHAI
*BENIN CITY* — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has described the State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, as one of the smartest individuals he has encountered, commending his dedication to public service reforms and his contribution to rebuilding Nigeria’s civil service.
The Governor spoke on Saturday, 18th June 2026, at the official presentation and launch of Dr. Okungbowa’s book titled _“Rebuilding the Nigerian Civil Service: A Reformer’s Perspective”_ held at Madonna Event Centre, St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City.
He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor.
Senator Okpebholo noted that the book diagnoses the systemic challenges confronting the Nigerian Civil Service and offers practical solutions. He warned that administrative inefficiencies and institutional weaknesses do more than undermine productivity — they also threaten the lives and welfare of citizens. “The Civil Service is the engine of governance and the repository of institutional knowledge. It remains the medium through which government policies are implemented and sustained beyond political transitions,” he said.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, who chaired the occasion, hailed Dr. Okungbowa as intelligent, articulate, objective, and deeply committed to institutional development.
She commended the warm cultural reception in Edo and congratulated him on what she called “a worthy contribution to public service reform.”
“I have found him to be firm-minded, impartial, and committed to the interests of the institution above personal preferences. These are qualities that define effective public service leadership, and Edo State is fortunate to have him as Head of Service,” Walson-Jack said. She added that the book’s focus on moving from analogue to digital governance aligns with ongoing federal reforms.
“The future of government work is digital, data-driven, transparent, traceable, and responsive. I am particularly pleased that this book speaks to that future and provides practical insights on achieving it,” she stated. Walson-Jack said her presence reflected the strong partnership between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and state civil services to strengthen institutions and improve service delivery.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Okungbowa explained that the book was inspired by a fundamental question confronting public sector leaders for decades: how to build an efficient, professional, and future-ready civil service capable of driving government policies and development outcomes. He revealed that one key outcome of the ideas in the book is the Edo State Public Service Retooling and Enhancement Programme, EdoPREP.
Dr. Okungbowa disclosed that EdoPREP, a comprehensive reform framework approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo as the official development programme for the Edo State Civil Service, has already begun to yield measurable results across the service. He expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for his unwavering support, thanked the HCSF for writing the foreword and gracing the occasion, and acknowledged his family, colleagues, editors, publishers, and all contributors to the project.
