RSG’s 5,000 Jobs

To bridge the manpower gap in the civil service and reduce unemployment in Rivers State, the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, recently directed the Rivers State Civil Service Commission to employ 5,000 youths into teaching and other career positions in the state civil service to reduce the level of youth unemployment.
This declaration has brought succour and unprecedented joy and hopes to young people in the state. Good times are indeed here for all Rivers’ jobless youths. This is particularly so as the worsening economic situation in the country wreaks untold hardship, frustration and hopelessness on the unemployed youth population.
The employment move is certainly one of the ways the Wike administration has decided to show commitment and efforts to urgently improve the state’s economy through job creation and opening of economic opportunities. This will ultimately improve the living conditions and wellbeing of Rivers people, especially the youths.
The employment exercise could not have come at a more appropriate time than now that there are ample vacancies in the civil service which is in dire need of teachers, engineers, lawyers, medical doctors, technicians, journalists and other professions that these youths can fill once they meet the eligibility criteria. The civil service has shrunk so badly over the years following staff retirements, deaths and resignations.
Though the informal sector of the economy has been offering job opportunities through the various construction works in the state where people find some means of livelihood and task forces periodically set up to address pressing problems, pensionable employment drive in the scale as the current one has not occurred since the advent of the present administration.
After the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, some governors rose from its ashes completely bankrupt and in penury. For many, salaries could not be paid while others downsized their workforces. But as a dedicated leader, Wike sustained salary payments in the entire duration of the pandemic. He is now providing 5,000 jobs for youths even when the effects of Covid-19 are yet to abate.
The execution of projects across the state, especially the flyovers and the urban renewal programme, have not prevented the governor either from going ahead with the employment exercise. It takes one with a sound managerial skill to achieve this even at a moment when so many needs are competing for scarce resources in the state.
Despite the obstacles and the deliberate attempts to sabotage and strangulate some critical revenue-generating sources for the state, Governor Wike has continued to deliver pragmatic and courageous leadership in the last five years. He has made the welfare and interest of Rivers people, especially the youths, top priority of his administration.
The employment of 5,000 youths is an impressive and commendable feat that deserves support. Wike indeed has great consideration for young people in the state. We are certain that besides job placements, many beneficial things will come the way of the youths if they will be supportive of the administration.
However, given the army of unemployed youths in the state, we consider the number inadequate but a good way to begin. Accordingly, we advise that the number be increased to accommodate more youths as well as departments and agencies. No agency or department is not affected by an acute staff shortage.
Despite their significance, we have noticed that the state media houses are missing out from the list of agencies to benefit from the employment scheme. We consider this an oversight and ask for their immediate inclusion. We are equally of the view that each department or agency should be allowed to interview their candidates and ascertain their proficiency.
Also, a mass recruitment exercise of this magnitude should not be done without a provision for fairness. Since the activity will somewhat affect every nook and cranny of the state, it is only reasonable that every local government is given a shot at the final employment list on a quota basis. This will ensure balance and forestall ethnic domination. We think that the State Assembly could be useful in this regard through a vetting process.
We are pleased that the initial manual mode of collecting applications from candidates was jettisoned for the more preferred and modern online mode to avert poor crowd management at the state secretariat complex. It indicates that the governor is truly a listening leader. Thus, we recommend the online mode for maximum effect.
Since all the youths cannot be employed in the state civil service, it will be proper for the government to support them to acquire relevant skills and provide entrepreneurial platforms for opportunities in small and medium-scale enterprises. By this, they will become employers of labour, not job seekers.