By Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
The Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Osas Okungbowa, has formally welcomed the first batch of the Third Cohort of the State’s Graduate Development Programme (GDP) into the Civil Service, in Benin City.
At the induction ceremony, the HOS disclosed that the Governor, Sen. Okpebholo had not only endorsed the continuation of the Programme upon assumption of office, but also introduced strategic improvements to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the initiative by upscaling it to include fully sponsored masters degree for deserving candidates. He commended the foresight and leadership of the Governor for sustaining and expanding the initiative.
On behalf of the Governor, the HOS stated, “I would like to gladly welcome our first-class graduates, the latest inductees into the Civil Service. Today, you will recall that when the Governor came on board, he was very quick to say that the GDP, which harnesses and puts together the first-class graduates of Edo origin, must be sustained and continued.
“To address limitations within the Civil Service structure, particularly the probationary period during which new employees are restricted from pursuing in-service academic training, Governor Okpebholo directed that all new GDP candidates first obtain their master’s degrees before entering full service. He further mandated that the Government would fully sponsor the postgraduate education of each candidate; covering tuition and providing monthly stipends. He insisted they must be equipped to do exceptionally well within the Service
“He directed that for every first-class graduate coming in, we must ensure they go and obtain their masters degrees. Mr. Governor felt rather than having them wait, it was better for them to first go and obtain their master’s degrees but he did something unique; he said to us for every one of them we must ensure that their tuition fees for the programme are paid and a monthly stipend being provided so they do not suffer while they go through that programme”.
However, the HOS also confirmed that candidates who already possess relevant postgraduate qualifications have been granted immediate entry into the Civil Service. He charged the inductees to uphold the principles of diligence, discipline, and the Public Service ethics, stressing the critical role of Civil servants as enablers of effective governance. He concluded that the inductees are high-grade Civil servants, as he said welcome.
One of the newly inducted officers, Akhator Esther, a first-class graduate of Microbiology with a master degree in Public Health, expressed appreciation to the State Government for the gesture. In her words, “I want to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo and also our HOS, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, for this opportunity to serve Edo State. As a first-class graduate of Microbiology and a public health enthusiast, with a Master’s in Public Health, I look forward to bringing my expertise to serve Edo State in a positive way that will take the State to the next level.”
Similarly, Destiny Osayande, a first-class graduate from the University of Benin, acknowledged the merit-based nature of the selection process and its symbolic importance, saying, “We have just been incorporated into the Service by the Edo State Government as indigene. Following tradition, we have been welcomed into the system. Having a handshake with the HOS was symbolic. We have been charged to deliver; to ensure the Government achieves its promises to the Edo people. With the experiences I have received, I believe I will be able to deliver my quota. I look forward to contributing meaningfully.”
