By Shulamite Owhoekevbo
The Delta State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, has congratulated the Permanent Secretary in the Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Angalaere Arthur Prest-Umukoro, on her retirement from the state civil service after 34 years of dedicated service.
Mrs. Prest-Umukoro, who paid a courtesy visit to formally announce her disengagement, expressed gratitude to the Head of Service for her unwavering support and encouragement throughout her career. She described her journey in the service as fulfilling and thanked God for the grace to retire in good health.
In her remarks, Dr. Oseji commended the retiring Permanent Secretary for her diligence, administrative competence, and meritorious service in various ministries and directorates. She noted that Mrs. Prest-Umukoro had consistently demonstrated professionalism and leadership since her appointment as a Director, her elevation to Permanent Secretary in 2018, and her subsequent posting to the Directorate of Culture and Tourism, where she served until her retirement.
“I am delighted that you have recovered sufficiently from your health challenges to be here today,” Dr. Oseji said, adding that her contributions to the civil service remain exemplary.
Recalling her career journey, Mrs. Prest-Umukoro stated that she joined the civil service of the defunct Bendel State on October 2, 1990, and was first deployed to the Directorate of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Over the years, she served in key ministries and directorates, including Transport, Housing, Works, Asaba Airport, Information, Establishments and Pensions, and Health.
She became a Permanent Secretary in 2016, serving under different Heads of Service, before her substantive appointment on May 5, 2019, which saw her posted to the Directorate of Culture and Tourism, where she held office for seven years.
Offering words of advice, Mrs. Prest-Umukoro urged civil servants to always separate personal interests from official responsibilities, embrace challenges as opportunities, and prioritize mentorship as a way of grooming future leaders.
The event was graced by members of the College of Permanent Secretaries, including Mr. Maxwell Awuse (Office of the Head of Service), Prince Gregory Ejowhomu (Bureau for Special Duties), Mrs. Felicia Reno-Orugbo (Ministry of Energy), Mr. Michael Diden (Ministry of Trade and Investment), and Mr. Anthony Usenu, Director of Public Service Matters, Office of the Head of Service.
