Nigerian gov approves 13th-month salary for workers

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the payment of the “13th-month” salary for civil servants in the state.

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.

According to a statement signed by the Head of Service (HOS), Dr Anthony Okungbowa, on Friday, “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.

“Okpebholo has 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.”

According to Okungbowa, the governor urged 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,” he said.