Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has introduced groundbreaking policies aimed at enhancing the welfare of workers and attracting top-tier talent into the State Civil Service.
Among the key initiatives is the approval of a “13th month” salary for Edo State workers and automatic employment for First Class graduates of Edo extraction from universities across Nigeria and abroad.
The Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, confirmed these developments, describing them as significant steps toward improving service delivery and boosting workforce morale. “Mr. Governor is doing this to serve as motivation for workers as they are ready to put in their best now,” he stated.
Dr. Okungbowa highlighted the introduction of the Graduate Development Programme (GDP), designed to ensure that quality manpower is brought into the civil service for efficient and effective governance.
“The 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. This policy will help the State bring in top-quality talents,” he explained.
The Governor’s policy aims to address a significant challenge: retaining high-performing individuals in the civil service. “It is not just about 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,” Dr. Okungbowa added.
The initiative targets First Class graduates from 2020 onwards, though there is potential for an extension to earlier graduates. Graduates entering the programme will rotate across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and gain exposure to the private sector to gather diverse experiences.
Dr. Okungbowa commended the Governor for his forward-thinking approach. “We are happy about this and appreciate the Governor because, through this, the service will have quality talents in the system. Sustainability depends on all of us since the political will is there, and I am happy because it is the direction of government.”
The programme will also collaborate with Edo Innovate to enhance its impact. With these initiatives, the Governor reaffirms his commitment to fostering growth, development, and excellence in Edo State’s public service sector.
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