Creating employment spaces for youths in civil, public services

ONE of the focal areas for youths of this generation is for them to be gainfully employed. Youths belong to the preparatory and working class who should contribute their quotas to the development of the nation. Having acquired necessary skills, space is required by them to prove their worth in the system.

In Nigeria, government is the largest employer of labour through the civil or the public services; we also have the organised or unorganised private sectors.  Civil service is the administrative arm of government that is charged with the responsibility of implementing government policies and decisions, providing services to the public and keeping the machinery of government running.

The youths are expected to be given space in every area of life such as in politics, civic and social matters as well as in the labour market. They have the knowledge and skills which they can use to transform the country and the entire system. Presently, the civil service is less attractive to the youths and it seems there are no spaces for them.  Most youths see the civil service as monotonous, drudgery and less exciting because of its routine format.

Prior to this time, in the civil service there were assurance of promotion as at when due, gratuity and pension, overseas and local training, conferences, remuneration, government quarters, official vehicles,  housing estates, children education allowances, free medical facilities, loans  and other benefits which serve as incentives to young graduates.  The civil service in the olden days was guided strictly by rules and regulations such as public service rules, general order (G.O.), financial memoranda/ regulations, and circulars which must not be violated and have helped in achieving probity, prudence and accountability.

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However, presently, compromise, corruption, laziness, ineffective supervision and lack of objectivity have watered down the quality and effectiveness in service delivery and these have also contributed to the backward state of Nigerian civil service.

Presently, the life of a civil servant is not being envied by the youths. Civil service job has however become the last resort because of unpaid salaries, pension and gratuities of retirees. The youths desire good future which will be made possible by being gainfully employed, so that they can have space to bring up fresh ideas needed to improve the service and contribute to national development.

In conclusion, for continuity in the civil service, we should do everything possible to inject new blood for sustainability. The personnel in the civil service should develop positive attitudes to their duties.  Ethics, enforcement of laws and obedience to rules are the strength of the civil service; lack of which will make the system lifeless.

The theme of this year’s International Day of the Youth is to give space for youths to participate in governance, therefore a clarion call is placed to our policy makers to strengthen and restore the former glory of the civil service for continuity and sustainability.

Fashona, Esther

Folake Ph.D

Ibadan.