Amidst competing economic needs, Bayelsa governor, Senator Douye Diri, is set to employ 1,000 indigenes into the state civil service. This bold move is seen as a deliberate plan to increase the state workforce and largely reduce the level of unemployment.
The state civil service commission had in a letter dated March 4, 2025 and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Stanley Sokari, formally announced what seemed like the lifting of embargo placed on employment in the last five years. The announcement was greeted with wild jubilation by those who have been waiting for the opportunity.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, the three weeks period for the submission of applications elapsed. Sources within the commission said over ten thousand applications were received for the various positions that were advertised. The positions range from clerical to officer cadre for experienced and young professionals.
The Chairman of the state civil service commission, Mr. Perekiye Buruboyefe, had in an interview assured of the integrity of the process, insisting that only those on merit will be engaged. He said screening tests and oral interviews will be conducted to select the most suitably qualified persons.
Buruboyefe, a former commissioner for sports in the state commended Diri for what he described as his “deliberate intention to engage Bayelsa in the service”, noting that the gesture will not only be appreciated but will remain indelible. He stressed that the overwhelming number of applicants confirmed the readiness of the people to contribute to the development of the state through the civil service.
The last time Bayelsans got a similar shot of this opportunity was in 2019 when Diri’s predecessor, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson employed 1,200 young graduates into the civil service after a rigorous reform of the service that swept away those with cases of age falsification, ghost workers, and those with multiple names, that were drawing salaries with it from the system for many years.
So, Diri’s landmark decision is significant in many respects. Firstly, the move is expected to have far-reaching implications, contributing to the overall development and growth of the state. For the avoidance of doubt, one of the primary benefits of the decision will be redirecting young people from thoughts of crime and criminality to meaningful engagement. Also, by providing employment, the governor is empowering the citizens and also investing in the future of the state.
The employment of qualified indigenes will also bring about a sense of ownership and responsibility among the citizens. When people are employed in their own state, they are more likely to be committed to its development and growth. The move will equally help to bridge the gap between the government and the people.
Also, by providing massive employment opportunities, Diri is simply demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of its citizens, which will help to build trust and confidence. This he had promised to do during his campaign in 2019 and 2023 while seeking re-election.
The latest employment will also bring about a sense of diversity and inclusivity in the civil service. When people from various backgrounds are employed, it brings about a unique perspective and approach to problem-solving.
In addition, the decision will help to stimulate economic growth in the state. When people are employed, they have a disposable income, which they can use to purchase goods and services, thereby boosting the local economy. Furthermore, Diri’s gesture is also a demonstration of his commitment to the development of Bayelsa State.
Moreover, his decision will help to reduce brain drain in the state. When qualified individuals are employed in their own state, they are less likely to seek employment opportunities elsewhere, thereby retaining the state’s talent and expertise. It will also foster a sense of pride and self-worth among the citizens. When people are employed in their own state, they feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment, which can have a positive impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
Essentially, the governor’s decision is a testament of his commitment to continue to drive people oriented policies and programs. It is also his befitting gift to people of the state as he marks his fifth year in office which has witnessed the superlative commissioning of different people oriented projects like the spectacular hemodialysis centre, the reconstructed Onuebum-Otueke road, among others. Also was the different groundbreaking ceremonies for ambitious projects like the Bayelsa International Stadium and the iconic 9-storey new secretariat complex.
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The new secretariat complex will be a conducive work environment that will accommodate civil servants, including those that are about to be engaged. It will elevate their level of productivity and efficiency because of the modern facilities and advanced technology that are designed to provide the highest level of functionality and workspace comfort.
It will also change the aesthetic beauty of Yenagoa, the state capital adding to the ongoing transformation. It will, in the same vein, add to the few high-rise buildings in the state and become a source of pride for the people and generations to come.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, who laid the foundation for the legacy project, expressed delight, saying when completed, the iconic structure would go down in her memory as an exciting legacy of the Governor Douye Diri administration.
She said: “This new state secretariat is a commendable effort to provide public servants with a conducive workplace environment. I applaud the Bayelsa State government for its dedication to infrastructure development.
“This project aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the Nigerian civil service at both the state and federal levels to deliver people-centred governance.”
At the event, Diri explained what drove him to embark on the project worth N46 billion with a 24-month delivery timeline, noting that upon completion, labour unions would no longer complain of inadequate office space.
“What propelled me to build a new secretariat was the civil servants’ request for office accommodation, which became a recurring decimal every Workers’ Day in the state,” he said.
Diri’s desire is to leave a Bayelsa that will not only be the envy of other states but also the surest destination for leisure and investment. His aggressive pursuit of the Nembe-Brass Road project justifies the assertion. He wants to unlock the rich potentials in the Eastern flank of the state, and a road to Barass will deliver that in record time.
It is the same passion and vigour that he intends to achieve the Ekeremor/Agge road where a deep seaport will be built and open up the state for robust commerce, create more job opportunities and give the state the prime economic hub status that it truly deserves.
As the engine room of government, civil servants have a pivotal role in ensuring that the governor achieves his vision for the state. As the recruitment process for qualified candidates continues, there is no doubt that a new era of growth and development beckons in Bayelsa State. Surely, the future looks bright with Diri on the saddle, and his gesture of absolving 1,000 fresh hands into the civil service is a significant step in the right direction.