The Executive Governor of Kogi State his Excellency, Mr. Yahaya Bello has urged participants at the 37th edition of the Federal Public Service Games (FEPSGA) to ensure that the spirit of friendship, kindness and sportsmanship prevailed in the tournament.
Governor Bello gave this charge on Monday, 10th December, 2018 in Lokoja when he declared the games open.
The Executive Governor who was represented by the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole,enjoined the contingents to avail themselves the opportunity to visit and explore the numerous tourist centres in the State.
He stated that’s Kogi State was strategically located and bordered by Nine (9) States, including the FCT.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, who was represented at the event by, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, said the 2018 FEPSGA would provide an atmosphere to discover athletes who will be able to represent the country at national and international sporting events.
Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said ‘‘It is gratifying to note that FEPSGA over the years had been able to assemble and discover great sportsmen and women who have represented the nation at different sporting events both locally and internationally’’.
She stated that the games are expected to renew and strengthen the physical well-being of the labour force in the service.
She urged athletes to take full advantage of the opportunity of the gathering to socialize and stimulate new friendships across the various MDAs that are represented at the games.
She called on the contingents to exhibit a high level of sportsmanship and abide by the rules throughout the duration of the games.
Oyo-Ita said her office has initiated policies that will increase efficiency and productivity in the Federal Civil Service, notably amongst them is the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2017-2020, with 8 priority areas geared towards developing and institutionalizing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen Centered Culture in the Service.
‘’There is no gainsaying that the physical fitness of employees is important for their overall well being which will in turn translate to improved productivity and quality service delivery’’ She said this expected outcome underscores the importance the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, places on the annual games.
Oyo-Ita commended the officials for their efforts, and called for harmonious participation by all contingents to make the Kogi 2018 edition a huge success.
The National President of FEPSGA, Mr Aloku Amaebi, said FEPSGA was established in 1980, with the aim of fostering unity and healthy rivalry in sports amongst Federal Public Servants. He said the annual event promotes commerce, hospitality, industry and tourism.
The Federal Public Service games is an annual sports event that assembles together the sporting clubs in the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Federal Public Service. The aim is to enhance the physical well-being of public servants and encourage sportsmanship in the Service.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources came 1st in the match past, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing came 2nd and the Ministry of Niger Delta, came 3rd.
The opening ceremony featured over 10,000 contingents drawn from 114 affiliated clubs in MDAs across the country.
Olufunke Taiwo Akinwumi
For: Director(Media&Public Relations)
Office of The Head Of The Civil Service Of The Federation
