The Computer-based Test (CBT) for candidates to the state’s public service has been launched by the Edo State Government.
One thousand (1,000) shortlisted candidates will be screened for various job openings in the State’s public service during the two-day exercise on Thursday, October 6, and Friday, October 7.
The CBT test, which is currently administered at the Edo State Information and Communications Technology Agency (ICTA) office located in Block D of the Edo State Secretariat Complex in Benin City, is evidence of the government’s resolve to ensure merit-based hiring in the public sector and to strengthen the state’s workforce with high-caliber professionals.
Since the beginning of his administration, the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has consistently reaffirmed his support for merit-hiring, as evidenced by the open and honest hiring practices of the State’s civil and public service.
The current reforms in the State’s public service have brought about unprecedented cultural and behavioral changes, and the Governor has deemed this as a fundamental component of those changes.
Speaking to reporters at the State’s Secretariat Complex, Ms. Amina Salawe, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Edo State Civil and Public Service Transformation and Enhancement Program (EdoSTEP), Office of the Head of Service, who also serves as the recruitment exercise team’s coordinator, stated that there is no bias in the exercise because her team has done a thorough job selecting and shortlisting applicants who were observed taking part in the CBT examination.
“Today, we have one thousand applicants in five batches, or 200 applicants per batch,” stated Salawe. As the Governor has stated, one area of his focus is giving young people in the State jobs, and this has been and will continue to be a free and fair process.
“There are no longer any shortcuts taken. Things are not going as normal. The administration of today has adopted a new trend. The shortlisted candidates are presently going through screening, as you can see. After they are done, they will go up to the ICTA to take an examination; those who pass will be hired regardless of their political affiliations or background. As you are aware, grades in this government are awarded meritocratically. You cannot buy your way into success.”
Speaking during the process, applicant Mr. Daniel Mitota expressed his opinion that the process was transparent because there was no undue influence on his name being included in the list of shortlisted candidates.
According to Mitota, “The short time between applying and getting called for the CBT exam makes me think highly of this recruitment process.” And since we arrived this morning, the recruitment team has made excellent arrangements regarding organization.
“I would say from my own personal experience that everything has been free and fair. I do not know anyone in any political position, and my name making it to the list was not influenced in any way. I just applied and got a mail. I have not paid anyone a dime and I am hoping the process continues till the list of successful applicants who made it come out”, Mitota added.
In response to queries from journalists, one of the applicants, Mr. Godwin Adaghebalu Abhulimhen, stated: “So far, the recruitment process has been free and fair because no one has submitted my name on my behalf. I could not contain my excitement when I saw my name on the list. I sincerely appreciate and applaud the Edo State Government for the numerous employments that have been completed in the State. I mean, I can not even recall the last time a State government job was advertised before this administration. Many of the civil servants I am aware of were hired many years ago, and many of them are now quite elderly.
Miss Judith Egualemonan Edujie, whose name was also on the list of shortlisted candidates and who participated in the CBT, also expressed her gratitude to the recruitment team and the State Government for streamlining and streamlining the hiring process.
It should be noted that the Edo State Civil Service Commission recently released a statement announcing the start of a significant professional hiring drive for the State’s civil service.
As the current administration strongly supports merit-based hiring, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, the chairman of the Civil Service Commission, gave assurances to all applicants in the statement that the recruitment process would be fair and transparent.
Additionally, she stressed that the Edo State Government guarantees equal opportunity for all applicants, with a free, fair, and merit-driven recruitment process. As such, applicants are not required to pay any person or organization.
