It was a harvest of praises and jubilation as the immediate past Director of Personnel Management in Ebonyi State Local Government Service Commission, Prince Patrick Akputa, successfully retired from active service for a 35 year.
The former DPM recalled that he was enrolled as temporary staff before his full confirmation, noting that the hurdle was much but maintained his stance to summount them.
He expressed joy for retiring at the apex position of the job, saying, "those who are still in active service should maintain the scope because the terrain is always rough, but with determination they must get there."
The retired DPM said he utilized the opportunity to transform the commission, noting that within two months, he did reshuflment and promotion of the workforce.
"I did what other commission chairmen never did. Within two months I conducted a holistic reshuflment of all the principal officers. As I speak now, not less 500 persons have been promoted as either HPM, treasurer, AO, FO, HOD, and others. It's the grace of God and not by the power of myself."
Akputa said he made sure that no worker suffered while in office, urging his successor to sustain the tempo to avoid the collapse of the local government system.
"To you in the field, the system is on your palm, handle everything within your office as if you are handling your own self or immediate family, whereby if you are not proactive, you are failure. Nobody should thinking that the system will collapse now.
"His Excellency, the Executuve Governor of Ebonyi State who had never worked in local government civil service commission, and who has never been a civil servant, and I don't think any of his brothers or sisters is working in the local government service commission, but in his magnanimity, the man came on board, very gallantly and declared that the local government system should stand again."
Interacting with journalists, the Coordinator of Ebonyi Development Centre, Dr Destiny Nwodom described the meritorious service of Prince Akputa for the state in 35 years as a thing of joy.
He noted that many people were employed as civil servants but they could not retire healthy, unlike Akputa who completed his service, healthy and strong, with a sound mind.
"My main advice to those who are still in active service, is as you are working you prepare for the retirement age. He's prepared and that's he is very happy," the Ebonyi Development Centre Coordinator advised.
In addition, Prince Friday Oketa, the Coordinator of Echi Aba Development Centre described Prince Patrick Akputa as a senior colleague in a Prince-hood who served the state with humiliation and urged other workers who are yet retire to emulate him.
Also, Architect Augustine Nwechara, the Commissioner one in the State Local Government Service Commission, thanked God who led Prince Akputa so far in his service, and expressed happiness for setting standards during his service to the state.
"Prince Patrick Akputa is coming back home with a good face that Ishieke land and Ebonyi Local government area will welcome him with joy. He did a good job while in the service, and our prayer for God will give him a better opportunity such as an appointive and elected positions, having setting standards during his service to the state as a civil servant, for 35 good years.
"Prince Patrick Akputa is a principle human being, a man of integrity and doesn't like anything that can stain his image. He possesses excellent leadership qualities and he is a man with a large heart," Nwechara said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the Head of Personnel Management, Prince Theophilus Emeka Akputa, said, "For the last 35 years he (Prince Patrick Akputa) served Ebonyi state, the legacies and landmarks he created will pave way for him. He is going to make more success. He should keep doing good, believing that God will reward him with a better and bigger opportunities to serve humanity, because he is still strong and sound.
"He is a Godsent, he's on mission to help and empower people. He helps people without a trace to their backgrounds. Those still in active service should emulate my brother, do the best they can, so that after their service, they will be remembered.
"I urge my siblings to also follow the footsteps of our elder brother. My father, HRH Eze Davidson Akputa Igwe, is not really death, because it's only his physical body was buried. In fact he is still living because his advice, always was for us to live, work and do well amidst people, so that tomorrow when you get old, you reap good fruits of your labour."
Victor Nwegede
