•Governor Umo Eno
UTIBE-IMA OKON, Uyo reporting
The Head of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters, says the Governor Umo Eno administration has recorded significant progress in workers’ welfare, recruitment and career advancement since its assumption of office.
Mrs. Peters stated this yesterday, Monday, September 14, 2026, in Uyo during a media parley to commence activities for the 2026 Public Service Day celebration.
She said the celebration, which coincides with the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, provides an opportunity to highlight the administration’s investment in the workforce and its efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery under the ARISE Agenda.
The Head of Service disclosed that the administration has recruited or approved the recruitment of 7,069 personnel across various sectors of the state’s Public Service.
She listed the recruitments to include 100 Occupational Safety Officers, 25 Legal Officers for the Ministry of Justice, 85 volunteers for the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service, five personnel for the Senior Citizens’ Home and seven staff for the recently commissioned Youth Development Centre in Oron.
Others, she said, include 45 House Officers, 40 Intern Pharmacists, 27 caregivers for the Divine Care Home, 120 contract medical officers and consultants, 404 contract nurses and tutors, and 30 contract radiographers, medical laboratory scientists and pharmacists.
Mrs. Peters recalled that Governor Umo Eno, during his birthday visit to the Divine Children’s Home in April 2026, directed that some of the caregivers working at the facility be absorbed into the State Civil Service.
She said the directive has been implemented, with the recruitment of the caregivers now completed.
The Head of Service also disclosed the recruitment of 170 watchmen into the State Civil Service, describing the overall figure of 7,069 personnel as a significant achievement, particularly in addressing manpower gaps in critical sectors.
On workers’ welfare, Mrs. Peters said the administration had paid over N90 billion out of more than N111 billion in inherited gratuity liabilities, while maintaining regular salary payments and implementing the N80,000 minimum wage from November 2024.
She also highlighted the introduction of the 13th-month salary, popularly known as “Eno-Mber,” pension increases for retirees and the settlement of outstanding pension contributions.
According to her, workers have further benefited from housing support, health insurance, welfare bonuses, teachers’ wardrobe allowance, continuous training and the provision of modern working tools.
On career progression, Mrs. Peters said the administration had strengthened the promotion process through civil service examinations, the release of outstanding promotion results and the conclusion of the 2026 promotion exercise.
She said the measures had provided eligible officers with opportunities for career advancement and renewed motivation, while the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries and an Acting Surveyor-General had further strengthened the leadership structure of the Service.
Mrs. Peters, however, stressed that improved workers’ welfare must be matched by increased productivity, urging public servants to uphold professionalism, integrity, discipline, innovation and dedication to duty.
She said activities lined up for the 2026 Public Service Week include sporting events, a fitness walk tagged “A Walk of Gratitude,” an inter-denominational thanksgiving service, free health checks, a symposium, quiz competition, football finals and a gala and award night.
The Head of Service appreciated the media for its continued partnership with government and called for sustained support in informing the public and projecting the achievements of the Akwa Ibom State Public Service.
Present at the briefing were the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umana; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh; the Dean of Permanent Secretaries, Mr. James Edet; the Director-General of the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), Mrs. Imaobong Udoh; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Anietie Usen; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso; the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Nsibiet John; as well as other senior government officials and stakeholders.
The briefing also provided an opportunity to unveil the arrangements for the 2026 Public Service Week, themed “Repositioning the Public Service for Greater Efficiency and Productivity,” with “Gratitude” as a sub-theme.
According to the Head of Service, the theme is designed to encourage public servants to appreciate the interventions of the Governor Umo Eno administration in improving workers’ welfare, while also reminding them of their responsibility to reciprocate through professionalism, dedication and improved service delivery.
