BY AWELE OGBOGU
THE Accountant-General of Delta State and a Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service, Mrs. Joy Enwa has retired after completing 35 years of service on January 15.
Following her departure, a week-long celebration was organized by the Office of the Accountant-General, Delta State Forum of Accountants and friends of the retiree in recognition of Enwa’s distinguished public service career.
The first in the line-up of events was a Valedictory Session held in her honour at Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba with tributes by an array of personalities, including the Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko who described Enwa as a bureaucrat with arare record of service anchored on hardwork, transparency and dedication to duty. A major highlight of the valedictory session was a parade by accountants in the state, described as the first of its kind.
Also as part of the week-long celebration was a novelty football match between the Office of the Accountant- General and staff of the Permanent secretary, Office of the Head of Service, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, which saw the Accountant-General’s team lifting the ceremonial trophy.
The send forth culminated in a retirement thanksgiving service, attended by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Bishop’s Court, Asaba, an array of dignitaries included Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Moses Iduh, among several others.
Bishop Kingsley Obuh of Diocese of Asaba, Anglican Communion, who led the officiating priests, urged workers to emulate the virtues of the retired Accountant- General which enabled her to get to the pinnacle of accounting practice in the Delta State Civil Service.
It was followed by a reception for guests at the Dome Events Centre, Asaba, also graced by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Attendees included several government officials, representatives of banks and other financial institutions, numerous high-profile personalities, professional groups and members of the public.
The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Accountants Forum, Mr. Omovo Charles Bonaventure said the cream of personalities that came to celebrate with Enwa upon her retirement is in recognition of her long-standing contributions to the state’s civil service. Staff members from the state’s Ministry of Finance lauded her as a compassionate leader known for her humanitarian spirit and dedication.
A retired Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshall Umukoro said Enwa’s tenure as Accountant-General was marked by significant contributions to the state’s financial management, adding that her efforts to promote transparency and accountability have left an indelible mark on the state’s civil service.
“Enwa’s retirement marks the end of an era in Delta State civil service, as she gave her very best and has left a legacy for others”, he said.
Enwa, a mother of four, was employed by the Library Board of the defunct Bendel State on January 15, 1990. She later joined the core Delta State civil service where she rose to the position of Accountant-General of the state on April 1, 2022.
