………..Says Employment Based On Merit, Not Ethnicity .
Emmanuel Clement.
The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, inclusive, and merit-based governance following reactions to a viral voice note alleging the exclusion of Ebira youths from employment opportunities within the State Civil Service.
The government made this known on Saturday in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, while reacting to the viral audio involving a female civil servant.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration is anchored on inclusivity, fairness, and responsive governance, stressing that the governor has sworn an oath to serve the entire state without bias or sectional preference.
He noted that the government acknowledged the reactions generated by the circulating voice note and related video but emphasized that employment into the civil service will continue to be guided strictly by competence, capacity, and the availability of resources.
“Governor Ododo is a servant-leader entrusted with the mandate of the people through the ballot. His administration is firmly anchored on the principles of inclusivity, active listening, constructive engagement, and responsive governance,” the statement noted.
While recognizing the right of the civil servant to express her views, the government pointed out that civil servants are guided by established channels for communication and redress of grievances.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding freedom of expression, noting that no citizen would be persecuted for peacefully expressing their opinion.
The government, however, expressed concern that certain individuals and groups have attempted to sensationalize the issue in ways capable of inflaming public sentiment, stressing that the matter remains within the realm of constructive engagement and institutional resolution.
Fanwo opined that Governor Ododo has therefore directed that the concerned civil servant be accorded full protection, while also mandating the Civil Service to strengthen internal feedback mechanisms to ensure grievances are addressed promptly and effectively.
The statement further reiterated that the administration operates on the principles of equity, fairness, and merit, assuring that employment into the civil service will continue to ensure fair representation across all parts of the state.
The government called on residents of Kogi State to remain calm and disregard attempts to create unnecessary tension or spread misinformation, assuring citizens of continued transparency and engagement.
“The Kogi State Government assures all citizens that their voices matter and will always be treated with dignity and respect. Constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and adherence to due process will continue to guide our collective progress,” the statement concluded.