posted November 7, 2023
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed that the decision to offer automatic employment to first-class graduates reflects his government’s commitment to education, human capital development, and the growth of Edo State by tapping into the intellectual potential of its citizens.
According to the Governor, offering automatic employment to first-class graduates serves as an incentive for students to strive for academic excellence, noting that this kind of policy can motivate students to work hard and excel in their studies.
The governor believes that by attracting and retaining brilliant minds within the state’s public service, they can contribute to the growth and development of Edo State. This approach is not only beneficial for the state but also for the nation as a whole.
By prioritizing graduates of Edo extraction, the government is promoting and utilizing local talent, which can lead to a stronger sense of belonging and community involvement.
Often, highly educated individuals may seek employment opportunities outside their home state or country. By offering automatic employment to first-class graduates, the government can reduce the brain drain phenomenon, where highly educated individuals migrate elsewhere for better job opportunities.
The governor said this when he received 21 first-class graduates who were recently employed in the State’s Civil/Public Service, at the Government House, Benin City, where he explained that the decision was deliberate to bring in brilliant minds into the service to help build the State and nation.
He said, “Your choice into the service is deliberate as it is a well-thought-out plan and process to help us build our State and make it great again.
“Great nations are built by the brightest and most brilliant people like you, who left school and went straight to work for the government and such led to the turnaround of such societies. Edo will experience a turnaround and people like you will be responsible.
“You are coming into the service at a very important and interesting time when our Country is being restructured by default.
“The central government is becoming weaker as it doesn’t have the resources to undertake the responsibility it ought to take according to the constitution and this will lead to a renegotiation. The system is not sustainable but yet I don’t see Nigeria disintegrating.”
Obaseki continued: “We need to invite young people to deal with the situation and set the nation on the right path, threading on the path that aligns with global development. We have set ourselves as a State on the path of development. We have embraced paperless governance, connected all our local governments to fiber optic internet and built infrastructure. With young minds like yours, we will take the world.
“It’s a new world for you, young minds and running away from Nigeria will not solve the problem and the reasons why people are running away can be addressed by people like you. All we need to do is to create the opportunity, preparing you for leadership or having leaders like you to help check these challenges.”
Obaseki’s government aims to develop a skilled and educated workforce in the state. By offering automatic employment to first-class graduates, the government ensures that highly qualified individuals are part of the workforce.
The governor added, “We need to create a new system and re-enact a new direction for the nation and we don’t need to travel if we make this nation work.”
On his part, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., who presented the first-class graduates to the governor, commended Governor Obaseki for sustaining the investment in human capital development.
He noted, “You gave us instruction for the automatic employment into Edo State public/Civil Service for first class graduates of Edo extraction across universities in Nigeria. This is the only State in Nigeria that has embarked on such, and it shows the government’s disposition to quality.”