Civil servants in the employ of Edo State Government have expressed excitement over the payment of 13 months salaries by Governor Monday Okpebholo, describing the move as timely and morale boosting.
A statement by Patrick Abojele, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, was made available to journalists in Benin City on Tuesday.
He said the credit alert came as a pleasant surprise for him.
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One of the workers, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Rose Emonikhe, said the payment would ease the financial pressure on workers during the festive season and beyond.
Emonikhe said she woke up on Tuesday morning, December 30, 2025, to a credit alert for payment of her 13th month salary.
According to him, when I woke up this morning, the alert of 13th month salary woke me up. I am grateful to the Governor for what he did. You can see me smiling, and so are other officers of the Edo State Civil Service.
“This Christmas period, most people will have spent their December salaries. So this will help them enter the New Year with something in their pockets. Those who have to pay children's school fees can do so without stress, and others who are renewing rent will also benefit. This 13th month salary will go a long way.
He said, “The Governor has played his role; it is left for the civil servants to do their job with more commitment. He is in a hurry to deliver the benefits of democracy and the civil service is the medium through which this can be achieved.”
Other workers at the Ministry of Lands and Housing, including Beatrice Ihulde, Precious Abu, Bridget Igbinovia and Onyenechi Florence, also commended the state government for the payment, confirming they received the credit alert.
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The workers described the payment as a clear demonstration of the concern of the Governor Okpebholo-led government for the welfare of the workers.
On his part, the Director of Administration, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Egbe Josi, also commended the government, saying the initiative will boost morale and productivity in the service.
Other civil servants opined that the move has brought relief and renewed confidence in the government's people-centric approach to governance.
It would be recalled that soon after assuming office in November 2024, Governor Okpebholo implemented the 13th month salary payment for the civil service in the state.
