Okpebholo approves “13th month” salary for workers, automatic employment for first class graduates

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has graciously approved the payment of the “13th month” salary for Edo State workers.

The Governor has also approved the policy of automatic employment for First Class graduates of Edo extraction from any university in Nigeria and abroad into the state civil service to boost the quality of manpower in the system.

Head of Service (HOS), Dr Anthony Okungbowa, said the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is to ensure that quality manpower is brought into the system for effective and efficient service delivery that will enhance growth and development.

Okungbowa said: “Mr Governor is doing this to serve as motivation for workers as they are ready to put in their best now. 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 that the policy of bringing in First Class graduates into the Edo State Civil and Public Service be approved. 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 employments. We are looking at the younger graduates from 2020, but Mr. Governor may extend that. 

“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 round 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.

“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.”