By Thompson Yamput
The Kogi Government on Saturday denied any form of recruitment bias into the state’s civil service as portrayed in a viral video in the social media.
Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information, made the denial in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Lokoja.
The viral voice note, attributed to a female civil servant, had expressed concerns over alleged exclusion of Ebira youths from employment opportunities within the state civil service.
Fanwo expressed regret over the reactions generated by a related video circulating on the matter, which he described as “false and unfortunate.”
He quickly called on the good people of Kogi to remain calm and to disregard attempts to create unnecessary tension or misinformation around this issue.
The commissioner said that the state government operates on the principles of equity, fairness, and merit and would never engage in such a bias recruitment.
“Gov. Ahmed Ododo has sworn an oath to serve the entire state without bias or sectional preference.
“Therefore, employment into the civil service will continue to be guided strictly by competence, capacity, and the availability of resources, ensuring that all parts of the state are fairly represented.
“Our governor remains 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.
“But while the views expressed in the voice note represent the personal opinion of the individual, which she is fully entitled to under the law, it is also important to emphasize that civil servants are guided by established channels for communication and redress, ” he stated.
According to him, this administration is committed to upholding freedom of expression and will neither suppress nor persecute any citizen for peacefully expressing his or her views.
He, however, expressed regret that certain individuals and groups have sought to sensationalize the issue in a manner capable of inflaming public sentiment.
Fanwo added, “The matter, in reality, remains within the realm of constructive engagement and institutional resolution.”
He disclosed that Gov. Ododo had directed that the concerned civil servant be accorded full protection and mandated the civil service to strengthen internal feedback mechanisms to ensure that grievances are addressed promptly and effectively.
The commissioner said the present administration remains unwavering in its commitment to transparency, public enlightenment, and continuous engagement with citizens, particularly in clarifying government policies, programs, and decisions.
He assured all citizens that their voices matter, and will always be treated with dignity and respect, stressing, “Constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and adherence to due process will continue to guide our collective progress.” (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
