2026 Civil Service Week: Kogi Workers Hold Thanksgiving Service

Permanent Secretaries, Clergy, Civil Servants Gather at Unity Chapel, Lokoja

By Taiye Bayode

Kogi State civil servants on Sunday converged on the Unity Chapel, State Secretariat, Lokoja, for a special thanksgiving service to celebrate God’s faithfulness over their lives, families, careers and the state civil service.

The service, organised by the Kogi State Public Service Christian Fellowship (KSPSCF), formed part of activities marking the 2026 Civil Service Week and the build-up to Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.

In her keynote address, the Head of Service, Hajiya Falilat Yusuf Musa, Esq., commended civil servants across the state for their resilience, dedication and commitment to duty, urging them to sustain the spirit of unity demonstrated during the thanksgiving service.

Represented by the Chairman, Forum of Permanent Secretaries, Pastor Sunday Ode, the Head of Service encouraged workers to participate actively in the remaining activities lined up for the week.

The service featured praise and worship, prayers, Bible reading, testimonies, a special charge and thanksgiving, with Permanent Secretaries, Directors, clergy and civil servants setting aside their official schedules to worship together.

Pastor Richardson Edimeh led the prayer of thanksgiving, while the Publicity Secretary, Oluwatimilehin A. Joash, formally recognised dignitaries at the service.

Pastor Daniel Onuchi led prayers for civil servants and the state civil service, while Pastor Sunday Ode delivered the Bible reading.

Delivering the sermon, the Chaplain of the KSPSCF, Pastor Paul Funsho, charged civil servants to embrace the values encapsulated in the acronym “DRIVE” — Determination, Resoluteness, Intercession, Vision and Engagement.

Drawing lessons from the biblical examples of Elijah and Daniel, Pastor Funsho urged workers to remain steadfast, disciplined and united in purpose, stressing the importance of determination and a clear vision in the discharge of their responsibilities.

His message elicited enthusiastic responses from the congregation, with worshippers responding with hearty “Amens” as he encouraged workers to remain committed to the development of the state.

Special prayers were offered for the Kogi State Government and the Head of Service by Pastor David Abejide.

The offering and thanksgiving session, led by Elder Ben Adaji, added further colour to the service, as worshippers sang and danced in appreciation of God’s faithfulness.

Speakers at the occasion also expressed appreciation to the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what they described as an enabling environment for civil servants and the continued prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

In his vote of thanks, Elder M. M. Shaibu, on behalf of the Board of the Unity Chapel, thanked God for preserving the lives of civil servants to witness another Civil Service Week.

He also appreciated the Head of Service for her leadership of the 2026 celebration and prayed for a successful and hitch-free conclusion to the week’s activities.

The service ended on a note of thanksgiving and renewed commitment, with participants expressing optimism that the spirit of unity, faith and fellowship demonstrated at the gathering would continue to inspire civil servants throughout the celebration and beyond.