Nigeria @ 66: Oborevwori Has Shown That Workers’ Welfare Matters — Dr. Lawrence Pemu

By Endurance Ikanone

The Member II of the Delta State Civil Service Commission and former Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Lawrence Pemu, has said that the visible achievements of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration are gradually restoring public confidence in government and strengthening citizens’ belief in the ability of leadership to deliver meaningful development.

Dr. Pemu stated this in his Independence Day message, in which he highlighted the importance of workers’ welfare and the role of civil and public servants in the effective implementation of government policies and programmes.

Dr. Pemu, an experienced administrator who has spent years in the Delta State public service and previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, said the welfare of workers remains central to effective governance because no government can successfully implement its policies without a motivated, valued and productive workforce.

According to him, Governor Oborevwori’s approach to workers’ welfare goes beyond mere promises, pointing to recent measures taken by the administration as evidence that the Governor places the interests of civil and public servants high on his governance agenda.

He particularly cited the recent passage of the 13th-month salary bill by the Delta State House of Assembly. The bill provides a statutory framework for the payment of a 13th-month salary to public servants in the state and is designed to improve workers’ morale, productivity and overall well-being.

Dr. Pemu described the development as significant, noting that it should be viewed as one of several measures through which the Governor is seeking to strengthen the relationship between government and its workforce.

He said workers should also take note of other recent initiatives affecting their welfare. At the 2026 Public Service Week Dinner and Awards Night, Governor Oborevwori announced the 13th-month salary alongside increased cash awards for outstanding public servants, completion of the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters, provision of official vehicles for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and renewed attention to affordable housing for workers.

The Civil Service Commission member also pointed to the administration’s intervention in pension obligations. In May 2026, the state government approved more than ₦10 billion to address pension-related challenges, while continued allocations were also being made to serving workers and retirees.

For Dr. Pemu, these measures are important because the welfare of a public servant does not end with a monthly salary. It also includes career progression, recognition, housing, retirement security, professional development and an enabling working environment.

He therefore urged civil servants to reciprocate the administration’s attention to their welfare with greater dedication, professionalism and commitment to service.

“As civil servants, we must understand that government and workers have a shared responsibility. When government invests in the welfare of its workforce, workers must also respond through greater productivity, discipline, integrity and commitment to the people we serve,” Dr. Pemu said.

He noted that Delta’s civil servants should continue to look forward to further initiatives from the Governor, stressing that the measures already introduced should be regarded as part of a broader effort to reposition the public service and improve workers’ welfare.

Dr. Pemu, whose career has combined senior administrative responsibility with extensive experience in the health sector, said his experience in the Hospitals Management Board had taught him that the strength of any public institution depends greatly on the quality, motivation and welfare of its personnel.

He called on workers to use the Independence Anniversary to renew their commitment to Delta State and Nigeria, while encouraging them to support policies that promote good governance, institutional development and improved welfare.

“As we celebrate 66 years of Nigeria’s independence, let us remain hopeful and committed to building a better country. In Delta State, we should continue to give our best in service and support initiatives that improve the lives of workers and the people we serve,” he added.

Dr. Pemu congratulated Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, civil and public servants, and all Deltans on the Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, progress and prosperity in Delta State and Nigeria.