By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
In it's desire to possibly impact lives the Sokoto State Government says it has concluded plans to recruit 3,000 workers into the State Civil Service.
Making this disclosure at the inauguration of the committee set up to oversee the exercise, the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu explained that the initiative is aimed at reducing the high rate of unemployment and youths restiveness.
These two factors according to the governor often leads young people into social vices, hence addressing it makes them useful members of the society.
In his charge to the committee members, the governor urged them to place priority on unemployed graduates with NCE, HND, and Degree qualifications.
A statement by the Director General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Abubakar Bawa quoted his principal as saying, the recruitment will cut across all the 23 local government areas of the state and for only eligible graduates.
The statement read in part, "The Governor further directed the committee to focus on areas where the State is experiencing manpower shortages, in order to fill the existing vacancies.
"He urged the committee members to carry out their assignment with diligence, justice, and fairness, ensuring that only qualified candidates capable of adding value to the civil service are recruited".
On the rationale behind the selection of the committee members, the governor said they were carefully selected for the task based on their track records and abundant wealth of experience in public service, and urged them to live above board.
Expressing his worry over persistent insecurity, the governor decried the growing trend of “informants' syndrome,” where people aid criminal activities for small amounts of money, noting that joblessness has played a significant role in this problem.
“This is why it is imperative for us to continue to introduce measures to engage our youths, so they can become useful members of society,”
The governor recalled that since the inception of his administration, thousands of youths and women had benefitted from various skills acquisition programmes through the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as a appreciable poverty reduction initiatives.
“We have graduated thousands in trades such as vulcanizing, plumbing, electrical work, knitting, sewing, pomade and perfume making, and make-up, among others.
"We also provided them with working tools and start-up capital,” he noted.
While appreciating the people of Sokoto State for their continued support, the governor reassured them of his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of all citizens, regardless of gender or location.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Jelani Kalgo, a seasoned administrator, commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for the bold initiative towards addressing manpower needs of the State Civil Service.
Kalgo assured that the committee would work diligently in line with the laid down guidelines and live up to the expectations of the people of Sokoto State. NNL.
