OUTGOING Deed Registrar in the Delta State Ministry of Lands and Survey, ESV (Chief) Efe Appih, has called on civil servants, particularly surveyors, to uphold integrity, discipline, and professionalism in their work, emphasising that the human factor is crucial to the success of public service.
He gave the charge at his retirement ceremony, held at the State Secretariat, Asaba, which drew top management staff, professional associations, political leaders, family, and well-wishers who paid glowing tribute to his 22-year civil service career.
In his address, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, represented by his Special Assistant, Comrade Kenneth Akpede, praised Chief Appih’s term as Permanent Secretary, noting that he brought dignity and professionalism to the office.
“Appih always provided solutions,” Obiodeh said, adding that his career “fought a good fight,” echoing 2 Timothy 4:7. Despite the inevitable challenges of public service, he said, Appih retired “gallant, full of life, with vigour and might.”
The Commissioner prayed for blessings in Appih’s next chapter, urging him to draw strength from God.
Also paying tribute, the Chairman of the Delta State Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), ESV Peter Ofili, described Appih as approachable and respected across ethnic and professional lines.
“He is a very good team player,” Ofili said, noting that Appih’s humility and inclusive leadership enabled him to unite colleagues in solving problems. He assured that NIESV would continue to stand by him in retirement.
In her address, the wife of the retiree, Mrs Felicia Appih, said she was proud of her husband’s years of marriage and public service. She described him as a father, mentor, and teacher whose integrity had touched countless lives. “This ceremony is the beginning of a new chapter for us,” she said.
In his vote of thanks, Chief Appih expressed surprise and gratitude at the honour accorded him, describing it as overwhelming. Reflecting on his years in the civil service, he urged younger officers to remain firm, principled, and God-fearing in their work.
“The civil service is a good institution, but it is human-driven. When those at the helm are well-minded, the service will grow. My advice is that the human factor should be improved upon for better results,” he said.
To professional colleagues, particularly surveyors, he urged discipline and integrity. “Do not cut corners. Be firm and always stand by what is right. Cross your ‘t’s and dot your ‘i’s,” he advised.
The ceremony combined formal speeches with personal testimonies from colleagues and family, as well as the presentation of gifts, in celebration of a career marked by dedication and service.
