By Godspower Eguasa
It was a moment of jubilation for civil and public servants in the State, as the State Governor,
Sen. Monday Okpebholo approved the payment of 13th-month salary to Edo workers, while
further affirming the policy of automatic employment for First Class graduates of Edo
extraction from any university within the country and beyond, rekindling hopes among Edo
youths, and creating the enabling environment for them to shine in the public space.
This was made known via the press statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the
Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, on Friday 29 th of November, 2024, in Government House
Benin City.
In his release, the intentions of the Governor were brought to light through the Head of
Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, who made known the unwavering commitment of the
Governor to improving workers’ welfare in the State, while also noting the Governor’s
unfeigned determination to extract the best brains into the State’s workforce, positioning Edo
on top spots amongst sub-nationals.
Okungbowa said: “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 the policy of bringing in First Class
graduates into the Edo State Civil and Public Service. 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 employment. We are looking at the younger graduates from 2020, but Mr.
Governor may extend that”.
According to Okungbowa: “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 around various Ministries, Departments
and Agencies and plans are also on to move them to the private sector to gather more
experiences after which they will bring such experiences to bear, to improve the system, to
contribute to the development of the State”.
Okungbowa added: “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”.
