29th November, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo has approved the continuation of automatic employment for First Class graduates of Edo extraction from any university in Nigeria and abroad into the State civil service.
He also reinstated the payment of ’13th month’ salary to public workers, as instituted by the administration of Godwin Obaseki.
The State’s Head of Service (HOS), Dr Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He noted that the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is to ensure that quality manpower is brought into the system for effective and efficient service delivery that will enhance growth and development.
Okungbowa however disclosed that the policy has been extended to first class graduates from year 2020 till date.
“Mr Governor has approved the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) that brings together First Class graduates and high-grade degrees into the service with a view to developing and ensuring quality manpower in the system.
“Mr Governor has approved it. He approved that the policy of bringing in First Class graduates into the Edo State Civil and Public Service be approved. He believes that the policy will help the State bring in top quality talents into the system.
“It is not just bringing them in but also retaining them because retaining them is one of the major challenges facing the programme.
“Mr. Governor is intentional about bringing them in and retaining these top level talents in the service. The Governor is using this medium to urge all First Class graduates from Edo extraction across all universities in Nigeria and abroad to come over as they will have automatic employments.
“We are looking at the younger graduates from 2020, but Mr. Governor may extend that.
“We are happy about this and appreciate the Governor because through this, the service will have quality talents in the system.
“For everyone in that programme, they are moved round various Ministries, Departments and Agencies and plans are also on to move them to the private sector to gather more experiences after which they bring will such experiences to bear, to improve the system, to contribute to the development of the State.
“Sustainability depends on you and me since the political will is there and I am happy because it is the direction of government. We are partnering with Edo Innovate to ensure improvement in the programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, Okungbowa while announcing the payment of the ’13th month’ salary, noted that the “Governor is doing this to serve as motivation for workers as they are ready to put in their best now.”
