Akwa Ibom Unveils 2025 Public Service Week, Celebrates Milestones Under Gov Umo Eno
By Mercy Obot
The Akwa Ibom State Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, has unveiled the schedule of events for the 2025 Public Service Week, celebrating the milestones of the state parastatal under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno.
Elder Essien announced this at a media parley held at the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Government House, Uyo, on Monday, June 23, 2025.
According to him, the annual celebration, which is themed “Leveraging Technology for a Smart and Agile Public Service”, is a significant event that demonstrates their commitment towards the growth of the state.
While addressing journalists, the head of service highlighted several landmark achievements by the state’s public service under the administration of Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D.
In his words, “We have enormous reasons to celebrate this year’s Public Service Week. These milestone achievements demonstrate our commitment to service in our various lines of duty and particularly through the support of His Excellency, our Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D.”
Essien noted that the public service week will feature a public lecture on Wednesday, June 25, at the Civil Service Auditorium; a novelty football match between the mainstream service and unified local government service on Friday, June 27; a health walk on Saturday, June 28; and the celebration will climax with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, June 29, at the International Worship Centre, Uyo.
Related: Gov. Eno’s Verification Exercise Exposes Over 2,000 Ghost Workers In A’Ibom Civil Service – NLC
Highlighting achievements within the state’s civil service, Elder Essien cited the donation of SUVs to permanent secretaries, comprehensive staff training, and the reduction of pension and gratuity backlogs by over ₦60 billion.
He also mentioned the distribution of 150 housing units to junior staff, the release of 2024 promotions, full health insurance coverage, and the reintroduction of the 13th-month salary, popularly called “Enomber”.
Speaking further, the Head of Service announced the recruitment of 3,000 new civil servants into various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as a significant boost to the state’s manpower capacity and part of broader reforms to strengthen public service delivery.
Fielding a question on the employment of casual staff as full staff in the civil service, Essien stated that the government had banned such workers, noting that any MDA that employs casual workers is acting illegally.
“There is no MDA that employs casual workers, except the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary. Such workers were previously banned in the public service by the state government; therefore, any MDA that employs casual workers is acting illegally,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Elder Essien extended his gratitude to Governor Eno, stating, “I feel delighted to specially appreciate our dear State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., for approving the 2025 Public Service Week and for his fatherly disposition to the welfare of the workers through his pragmatic approaches.”
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, appreciated the Governor for making the public service in the state exceptional and commended the Head of Service for successfully leading the state parastatal.
