By JOY OKPUZOR-IKEDE

The Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission, Noble Chief Roseline Eno Amioku JP, FICA, has commended the Consultants handling the April 2026 Compulsory Promotion Examination for their professionalism, diligence and steadfast commitment that ensured the seamless conduct of the exercise for officers on Salary Grade Levels (SGL) 05–10 within the Delta State Civil Service.

Chief Amioku issued the commendation during an official presentation ceremony at the Commission, where she received the report and examination results from the Chairman of the Consultants on Promotion Examination, Sir Okey Ofili.

Describing the process, the Chairman said the refresher course and promotion examination were executed in a transparent, credible and well-coordinated manner. She noted that the conduct of the exercise reflected the Commission’s unwavering commitment to merit, discipline and accountability in the state civil service.

She particularly applauded the reduction in instances of examination malpractice recorded during the April 2026 exercise, describing the trend as encouraging and indicative of improving adherence to examination ethics among civil servants.

However, Noble Amioku also expressed concern about the attitude of certain officers who, in her view, did not demonstrate the required seriousness during the examination. According to her, promotion examinations and refresher courses remain indispensable prerequisites for career progression, and should never be treated with frivolity by officers who aspire to rise in rank.

She therefore urged all civil servants to approach official exercises with discipline, commitment and a sense of responsibility, stressing that officers who fail to participate appropriately or comply with examination regulations ultimately endanger their careers.

The Chairman further assured that the Commission would carefully review the recommendations contained in the consultants’ report, with particular attention to issues relating to manpower shortages in lower cadre levels, examination participation, and enhanced efficiency in future exercises.

Chief Amioku also commended the cordial working relationship between the consultants and officials of the Commission, adding that the synergy between both groups was instrumental to the successful outcome of the exercise.

Earlier, while presenting the report, Sir Ofili disclosed that the refresher course for participating officers held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the TETFUND Hall of Dennis Osadebay University, while the promotion examination took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

He stated that the consultants received and marked a total of 553 answer scripts submitted by officers across the various salary grade levels.

Sir Ofili noted that participation in the April 2026 exercise surpassed that of the October 2025 edition, which recorded 502 participants. He explained that the marking scheme consisted of 20 marks for the objective section and 60 marks for the essay section, bringing the total obtainable score to 80 marks.

He further revealed that 435 officers, representing 78.66 percent of the participants, scored 50 percent and above, while 118 officers, representing 21.34 percent, recorded scores below the pass mark.

Although the consultants commended the decline in examination malpractice cases, Sir Ofili expressed concern regarding the inadequate level of seriousness displayed by some officers during the exercise, including instances of failure to comply with examination instructions.

He also drew attention to low participation by officers on Salary Grade Levels 05 and 06, warning that the apparent manpower shortfall at lower levels could adversely affect the future staffing structure of the civil service if not addressed promptly.

Among the recommendations submitted by the consultants were the need for officers to take refresher courses and promotion examinations more seriously, an urgent review of staffing gaps at lower cadres, and the sustained improvement of the organization and supervision of subsequent exercises.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr Frederick Yoro, expressed appreciation to the consultants for their dedication, painstaking efforts and professionalism in conducting the examination, marking scripts and compiling the results.

Mr Yoro stated that the consultants once again demonstrated competence and integrity in executing the assignment, and commended the Commission’s staff for their cooperation throughout the process.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to further strengthen discipline, professionalism and efficiency within the Delta State Civil Service. (Delta State News Bulletin)