State House perm sec urges excellence, professionalism in public service
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, has called on staff of the Presidential Villa to uphold a culture of excellence and professionalism in service delivery, urging them to
- ...as seven staff honoured for outstanding contributions across departments
- By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, has called on staff of the Presidential Villa to uphold a culture of excellence and professionalism in service delivery, urging them to set the benchmark for the wider public service.
Fashedemi made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2025 State House Ministerial Rewards and Recognition Ceremony, held to honour outstanding staff contributions across various departments.
Represented at the event by the Director of Internal Audit, Dr. Adenike Akintola, the Permanent Secretary commended staff for their dedication and reaffirmed the importance of quality service in governance.
According to a statement issued by the State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Abiodun Oladunjoye, Fashedemi said, “I warmly welcome you all to this remarkable occasion as we gather to celebrate excellence, dedication, and outstanding achievement”.
“Today’s ceremony is about recognising individuals whose hard work and dedication have contributed significantly to the success of the State House and public service", he said.
He stressed that excellence in public service is not optional but a responsibility, noting that every action and decision taken by public servants directly impacts governance outcomes.
“In public service, excellence is not merely a goal; it is a responsibility, as every task and decision has direct consequences,” he added.
Fashedemi congratulated the awardees, describing them as role models whose performance should inspire others within the system, and urged them to remain committed to higher standards in their duties.
He also commended organisers of the ceremony, including the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, State House management, and members of the award committee, for successfully putting the event together.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the ceremony, originally scheduled for 2025, was rescheduled due to unforeseen exigencies affecting official engagements.
A total of seven awardees drawn from 15 departments received plaques, commendation letters, and cash rewards for exceptional performance.
Among the recipients were Dr. Agbor Ebuta of the State House Medical Centre, recognised for his proactiveness in saving the life of a six-month-old baby; Mr. Isah Mohammed of the Transport Department; and Mr. Gabriel Jagaban from the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
Others honoured include the ICT Department for innovation, the State House Squash Team for outstanding performance at the last Federal Public Service Games (FEPSGA), Mr. Akanu Oluwagbenga of the Pension Unit for reform initiatives, and Dr. Seidu Bello, a dental surgeon, for his humanitarian impact.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Bello expressed appreciation to management for the recognition, describing it as both motivating and a call to greater responsibility.
“Being selected among many staff for this honour is a great privilege, and we sincerely appreciate the management for finding us worthy,” he said.
He noted that the recognition would inspire improved productivity and encourage other staff to strive for excellence in service delivery.
Bello also commended the revival of the awards programme, saying it would boost morale and strengthen institutional performance across the State House.
“When you are honoured, it means more is expected of you, as all eyes are now on your conduct and performance,” he added.
Reflecting on his decades of service, Bello described the recognition as particularly meaningful after more than 30 years in public service, highlighting the cooperative society he founded as part of his enduring legacy.
The ceremony was attended by staff from various departments, many of whom expressed satisfaction at the resuscitation of the recognition initiative, describing it as a morale booster for the workforce.
