Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has graciously approved the payment of the “13th month” salary for Edo State workers.
The Governor also approved a policy proposal granting automatic employment to First Class graduates of Edo extraction from any university in Nigeria and abroad into the state’s civil service to boost the quality of manpower in the system.
Head of Service (HOS), Dr Anthony Okungbowa, said the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) was conceived not only as a moral booster for the academic performance of students but also as a deliberate attempt to harness the right potentials into the state’s public service to drive the kind of effective and efficient service delivery vital for a holistic development.
Okungbowa said: “Mr Governor is doing this to serve as motivation for workers as they are ready to put in their best now.
“He has approved the Graduate Development (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”.
“He believes that this policy will help the state identify and introduce 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 absorbing these high-profile talents into different Ministries, Departments and Agencies and is using this medium to urge all First Class graduates from Edo extraction across all Nigerian universities and abroad to return home. We are looking at the younger graduates from 2020, but Mr. Governor may widen the scope”.
“We are happy about this and appreciate the Governor”.
“Furthermore, some will be sent to critical private sectors to gather experience after which they will be expected to return to the state’s service to assist in it’s development.
“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”.
Signed:
Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor
November 28, 2024.
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