By joshua Edo Head Of Service Launches Book, Receives National And State Accolades
Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
The Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa has launched his book titled Rebuilding the Nigerian Civil Service: A Reformer’s Perspective in a grandeur style at an occasion held yesterday 18th June 2026 at the Madonna Event Centre, Airport Road in Benin City.
In his speech, the special guest of honor, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo ably represented by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikilor Esq., described the Head of Service as one of the smartest individuals he has encountered, commending his commitment to public service reforms and his contribution to the discourse on rebuilding the Nigerian Civil Service.
He asserted that his book not only identifies the systemic challenges confronting the Nigerian Civil Service but also offers practical solutions for addressing them.
According to the Governor, administrative inefficiencies and institutional weaknesses do not only undermine productivity and governance outcomes but can also pose significant threats to the lives and welfare of citizens.
He emphasized that the Civil Service remains the institutional memory of government, serving as the bridge between successive administrations and generations.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HSCF), Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, described Dr. Anthony Okungbowa as a public servant she holds in very high regard, commending his intellect, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of the civil service.
“Dr. Okungbowa is someone I hold in very high regard. He is intelligent, articulate, and deeply committed to the progress of the civil service,” she said.
She applauded his dedication to professional development and active engagement in national and international public service programmes, noting that he has consistently contributes valuable perspectives to conversations on governance and reform.
“He attends programmes and engagements regularly, and I know he was recently at the International Civil Service Conference where he participated actively. He listens, contributes meaningfully, shares practical insights, and always brings value to the conversation,” she stated.
“I have found him to be firm-minded and impartial in his approach to issues. These are important qualities for any Head of Service. The civil service requires leaders who can listen carefully, think clearly, act objectively, and place institutional interests above personal preferences. Dr. Okungbowa has continued to demonstrate these qualities, and I dare say Edo State is fortunate to have him as its Head of Service,” she added.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Okungbowa explained that Rebuilding the Nigerian Civil Service: A Reformer’s Perspective was inspired by a fundamental question that has confronted public sector leaders for decades: how to build an efficient, professional, and future-ready civil service capable of effectively driving government policies and development outcomes.
The Head of Service revealed that one of the most significant outcomes of the ideas advanced in the book is the birth of the Edo State Public Service Retooling and Enhancement Programme (EdoPREP), a comprehensive reform framework approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo as the official development programme for the Edo State Civil Service.
Dr. Okungbowa further disclosed that EdoPREP has already begun to yield measurable results across the service.
He cited the establishment of a Talent and Innovation Development Programme which has successfully identified and vetted over 75 staff-driven innovations, the development of in-house technical capacity for technology maintenance, the creation of the state’s first Civil Service Anthem, Choir, and Dress Code, as well as the introduction of a Public Service Merit Committee and Scroll of Honour to recognize excellence.
Other milestones include the development of an Attendance Management System, the rollou