The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged retired public servants to use their wealth of experience for the development of their communities, society and the country.
Governor Uduaghan stated this on Wednesday in Asaba during the send-off ceremony organised for the retired Head of the Delta State Civil Service, Sir Okey Ofili, and 12 other retired Permanent Secretaries in the state public service.
He called on the retired Permanent Secretaries to offer their services for the betterment of their society, community, state and country.
He added: “The wealth of experience garnered over the years in the public service should not be allowed to waste, but put to use for the good of the people.
“I want to see some of you occupy key positions in our communities, society and state.
“You have a lot of experience having served government for 35 years.
“Some of you can become House of Assembly members, even National Assembly members or president and governors.
“You have the experience to play such roles.
“I want to encourage those of you interested in any political office to follow their interest as you have the wealth of experience to contribute more to the society.
“Don’t waste the experience and knowledge you have acquired in the service.”
Dr. Uduaghan described the civil service as the bedrock of the success of any government and charged civil servants to take their roles seriously as government depended on them as the technical arm to achieve success.
He stated: “The success of any government depends on the strength of its civil service.
“The civil service must go back to its role as the technical arm of government on which the success of any government depends.”
The governor commended the retirees for their contributions to the development of the state and charged all civil servants to always ensure that they leave legacies wherever they work.
In his opening remarks, the Head of the Delta State Civil Service, Sir Paul Evuarherhe, commended the retired Permanent Secretaries for their meritorious service to the state and called on them to make themselves available whenever their wealth of experience was needed by the state.
Ofili, who responded on behalf of the retired Permanent Secretaries, thanked the governor for the honour done them.
He stated that the creation of Delta State has opened up a vista of opportunities for individuals, communities and the state and urged all Deltans to join hands to move the state to an enviable height.