BY ROSEMARY NWAEBUNI
DOWN to earth, simple, unassuming, super intelligent with an uncommon passion for rendering service to humanity. These superlative adjectives are not adequate to describe Mr. Reginald Ebitimi Bayoko, Delta State Head of Service. It would not be an overstatement to add that Bayoko is an epitome of bureaucratic virtues and experience, transparency, stewardship, accountability, dedication to service and workplace mentor.
Reginald Bayoko is a classic example of a successful public servant whose career path and leadership serve as inspiration to many civil servants in the State and country at large. His meteoric rise to the pinnacle of civil service are both inspirational and intriguing, particularly the enviable record of serving as Permanent Secretary to four different administrations. A body of knowledge points out that it takes unique individuals on divine assignments to break jinxes, sieges, spells, and negative vicious circles in different areas of human endeavour including the bureaucracy. Reginald Bayoko is among the privileged few on such assignment, which includes putting smiles on the faces of many who came to him with varying challenges, especially those in the civil service who have suffered age long retardation and stagnation.
This soft spoken gentleman, born on July 18, 1966 to the Bayoko family lineage of Bekederemo and Souwari, Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State stands is a personification of public service and leadership. His maternal root is traced to Owhodokporkpor in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Reginald Bayoko commenced his educational career in 1972 and obtained his first school leaving certificate in 1978. He moved to Immaculate Conception College, Benin City in the defunct Bendel State, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) and General Certificate of Education (GCE) respectively between 1978 to 1983 in flying colours. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from Bendel State University (BENSU), now Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in 1987 at the age of 21. After graduation, he proceeded for the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Katsina. With a penchant for knowledge acquisition, he proceeded to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) for a Master degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 1997. The urge for more knowledge acquisition took him to different esteemed citadel of learning both within and outside Nigeria. For his professional career, Mr. Bayoko transitioned to the Bendel State Government in 1990 and subsequently to the Delta State Government, where he made significant contributions as an Investment and Revenue Officer in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. His expertise led to his deployment to the Delta State Urban Water Board as an assistant to the Sole Administrator and later, became t h e General Manager; a p o s i tion he h e l d u n t i l 2000.
I n 2 0 0 0 , M r . Bayoko r e turned to the Ministry of Finance as Director of Investment and Loans, overseeing a portfolio valued at over N8 billion naira. Mr. Bayoko’s dedication to public service extended to various ad-hoc assignments, including serving as Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) from August 2010 to August 2011, a crucial role in the development of oil-bearing communities in the State. His commitment to excellence was exemplified by his participation in the Senior Executive Course 36 at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, from February to November 2014. His performance earned him the designation of Member of the National Institute (mni). As Rapporteur of Study Group 5, he demonstrated remarkable leadership and was one of the final presenters of the course report to the then President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.
A distinguished member of various professional bodies, Mr. Bayoko’s affiliations include the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Administrators and Researchers of West Africa, the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and the Institute of Directors, among others. His societal contributions have garnered over 180 awards, recognizing his humanitarian services and excellence in service delivery.
On June 13, 2016, Mr. Reginald Bayoko was appointed Head of Service (HoS), Delta State. Currently, he is the youngest and longest-serving individual as HoS in the State. His tenure is marked by transformative leadership, pioneering reforms, and monumental achievements, including the creation of the ultra-modern Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat Complex, a testament to his dedication to improving civil service conditions. He has also implemented significant wage increases, enhancing the financial stability of countless families, and has maintained harmonious relations between organized labour and the Delta State Government. Among the reforms to the credit of this gentleman is the elimination of stagnation for Officers on Salary on Grade Level (GL) 16. Prior to this, only one officer was permitted to rise to GL 17 while the rest eminently qualified officers continue to mark time on GL 16. This was indeed a bitter taste for many who were apparently qualified but stagnated until retirement caught up with them. Several other people who served as Head of Service (HoS), enjoyed Salary Grade Level 17 and attendant benefits but made no concerted efforts at addressing the pains of depravity which the stagnated civil servants felt until Bayoko came on board. He initiated a memo which was graciously assented to by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. The joy of many officers who witnessed this jinx breaking reality in their professional career remained boundless.
Under his sojourn as HoS, promotion interviews are promptly conducted. Another landmark feat under his sojourn as HoS, is the upward review of vehicle and housing loan to civil servants. His administration as HoS has seen the sustenance of Study Leave with pay policy including overseas training, enhanced capacity building and the seven (7) weekends Senior Management training programme to mention but a few. Mr. Bayoko’s strategic leadership was further showcased when he was entrusted with overseeing the Office of the Secretary to the State Government in May 2021, navigating governance intricacies with finesse. His tenure as Head of Service is distinguished by fostering a culture of responsiveness, discipline, transparency, and innovation, resulting in a renaissance in the Delta State Civil Service.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Bayoko typifies work-life balance and love for family. He is happily married to Mrs. Vivian Bayoko, with whom he has four children: Michelle, Emmanuella, Nicole, and Nathan. His hobbies include reading, football, swimming, tennis, drama, computer-related activities, music, and traveling. His extensive travels have enriched his global perspective, contributing to his well-rounded character.
Mr. Reginald Bayoko, mni, remains a beacon of progressive leadership and a catalyst for positive change, dedicated to the advancement of both the workforce and the citizens of Delta State. His legacy is one of visionary initiatives and unwavering commitment to excellence, setting a benchmark for public service in Nigeria.
He is happily married with children.
