By Sunday Ani
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has approved the recruitment of 1,000 indigenes into the state civil service.
This followed the lifting of a five-year employment embargo in the state.
The move, widely celebrated across the state, is aimed at strengthening the workforce and reducing unemployment.
The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, in a letter dated March 4, 2025, and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Stanley Sokari, formally announced the recruitment exercise. The decision has sparked widespread jubilation, especially among job seekers who have long awaited such an opportunity.
By the deadline of March 21, the commission had received over 10,000 applications for various positions, ranging from clerical roles to officer cadre, accommodating both young professionals and experienced candidates.
The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mr Perekiye Buruboyefe, assured applicants of a transparent and merit-based recruitment process. He emphasised that candidates would undergo screening tests and interviews to ensure that only the most qualified individuals were engaged.
Buruboyefe, a former commissioner for sports, commended the Governor’s initiative, describing it as a deliberate effort to empower Bayelsans through civil service opportunities. He noted that the overwhelming response to the job openings reflected the people’s readiness to contribute to the state’s development.
“The last significant recruitment into the state civil service occurred in 2019 under former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, who employed 1,200 graduates following a rigorous service reform. That reform had eliminated cases of age falsification, ghost workers, and individuals fraudulently drawing multiple salaries.
“Diri’s decision is expected to have significant social and economic impacts. Beyond reducing unemployment, it aims to steer young people away from crime by offering them productive engagement. The recruitment will also foster a sense of belonging among citizens, strengthening the bond between the government and the people,” he said.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, commended the Governor for prioritising infrastructure development, describing the secretariat as a significant investment in public service efficiency.
Earlier, Diri had reaffirmed his commitment to expanding economic opportunities in Bayelsa, citing the Nembe-Brass Road project and the Ekeremor-Agge deep seaport initiative as critical to unlocking the state’s economic potential. The projects, he noted, would enhance commerce, create more jobs, and position Bayelsa as a prime investment destination.