By: Edebor Esther Ihunanyachi
In a heartwarming display of appreciation, the proud parents of Mr. Osazee Emmanuel Oronsaye, a first-class graduate from Edo State University Uzairue, paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Head of Service, Edo State in Benin City.
The visit served as an opportunity for the parents to express their gratitude for the automatic employment their son received as a result of his outstanding academic achievement.
During the visit, the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Esq. commended Osaze for his exceptional performance and invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the civil and public service. Barr. Okungbowa emphasized that Osaze’s employment was made possible due to the government’s commitment to merit-based recruitment, which is aimed at eradicating favoritism and nepotism from the hiring process.
“The unsavory experience we had in employing people into the service, even before this governor came onboard, was that you had to know someone in government to secure a job, regardless of your qualifications,” Barr. Okungbowa stated. “This governor introduced the initiative that as long as your brain is fit and you can contribute to the growth and development of the service and governance, you can get the job. Osaze’s achievements and potential have reaffirmed that we made the right decision by prioritizing merit and quality in employment.”
Expressing her gratitude on behalf of the family, Mrs. Esther Oronsaye thanked the State Government for recognizing her son’s abilities and granting him employment. She spoke fondly of Osaze’s enthusiasm and pride in his work and praised the supportive environment created by his superiors.” I am grateful to the State Government for providing this opportunity and for the way they have handled Osaze. He speaks with great delight when discussing his work and his bosses at the office, and it truly gladdens my heart,” Mrs. Oronsaye remarked.
Osaze Emmanuel Oronsaye, who emerged as the best-graduating student in 2021 with first-class honors from the Department of Engineering at Edo State University, Iyamho, was presented with an offer of appointment as an Electrical Engineer, Grade Level 9, Step 2. This presentation fulfilled the government’s promise of automatic employment for first-class graduates of Edo origin in all Nigerian universities within the state’s civil and public service.
The government’s commitment to merit-based employment has marked a departure from the quota system that was previously in place.
Under the current administration, academic performance, with a strong emphasis on first-class honors, serves as the primary criterion for employment, ensuring that excellence is not compromised.
The visit by Osaze’s parents serves as a testament to the positive impact of prioritizing merit and quality in the recruitment process and highlights the government’s dedication to nurturing and harnessing the talents of exceptional individuals like Osaze for the continued growth and development of the state.
