Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, FCA, has called on Deltans to engage in activities that will promote peaceful co-existence in the state.
The governor made the call at a Thanksgiving Mass held in honour of Mrs Gladys Puegeren, who recently retired as Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Lands and Survey.
The Thanksgiving Mass took place at St.Patrick’s Catholic Church, Asaba.
Governor Oborevwori represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA , admonished the people to portray the state in good light in order to continue to enjoy the numerous benefits of living in a peaceful and progressive state.
The governor congratulated Mrs Gladys Puegeren on her successful retirement from the state civil service after thirty five years saying that she distinguished herself in the various ministries she served.
“It is a thing of joy for us to attend this Thanksgiving Mass.
“I, on behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, heartily congratulate Mrs Gladys Aghogho Puegeren on successfully putting in 35 years into the Delta State Civil Service and rising to the peak of her career as Permanent Secretary.
“Retirement after effective service is a good thing, and retiring in good health and a sound state of mind calls for thanksgiving to God; that is why we are happy that Mrs Puegeren, as is usual of her, is doing the right thing by returning the glory to God.
‘Our Reverend Father, in his Homily, has told us what is expected of us as children of God; let us continue to engage in actions that will promote peaceful co-existence, actions that will portray our state in a good light so that all of us will continue to enjoy the numerous benefits of living in a peaceful, progressive state,” the governor said.
In his Homily, the Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, Rev. Fr. Peter Mobuogwu congratulated Mrs Gladys Puegeren for her successful retirement from the Delta State Civil Service, saying her contributions to the development of the service and state were worthy of note.
He advised civil servants to shun greed, laziness, idleness and stop manipulating their age just to remain in service and give the best to the state, as their service also contributed to the growth and development of the state.
“Greed, selfishness have entered the civil service, where is our conscience?
“The man who is not kind to the Pensioners, one day he will retire and somebody will attend to his files.
‘Don’t pay evil with evil,” the Priest said.
In her remarks, Mrs Puegeren said that she was happy to have served successfully for thirty five years culminating in her being appointed as Permanent Secretary without blemish, and thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve the state.
The Thanksgiving Mass was attended by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Hon. Johnson Erijo, Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, Hon. Spencer Owhofa, member representing Ughelli North II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr Emamusi Obiodeh, the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, and some serving and retired Permanent Secretaries.
In a related development, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, on Sunday, rejoiced with Ven. Nathan Asomba who recently retired as the Priest in charge of St. John’s Anglican Church, Ibabu, Onicha-Ukwuani, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The deputy governor who was accompanied by Mr Chux, Dr. Ernest Odeigah, Executive Assistant to Governor Oborevwori on Boundary Matters, Chief Patrick Ogelenya, Executive Assistant, Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Azum Mgbabego, Executive Assistant, Political, among others, observed that Ven. Asomba served God meritoriously.
He prayed that God will continue to strengthen Ven. Asomba as he starts a life of retirement from the Lord’s Vineyard.
Ven. Asomba thanked the deputy governor for his support and expressed confidence that God will always see him through.
Ven. Asomba retired at the age of 70 years.