- Ogun State Government came under fire yesterday for asking job applicants to pay N10,000 for application form for employment into the civil service
- The State Governor ordered that the commission refund the fees paid to the applicants
- Nigerians react, commend the governor for stepping into the situation
The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has directed the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to issue a refund of the N10,000 application fees paid by applicants in the ongoing recruitment exercise.
Following the backlash the state government faced after the news broke out on social media, the state government, in a post on its official handle, @OGSG_Official, said,
“The directive of the Governor was communicated via a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government and addressed to the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, notwithstanding the fact that these are standard and historical fees which have been in place for decades. These fees are charged by the Civil Service Commission on behalf of third-party independent examiners who administer and supervise the CBT Test and Centres.
“The State Government has, as a gesture of good faith and in acknowledgement of the current economic situation in the country and also taking into consideration the ultimate aim of this recruitment exercise, i.e. to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens and create employment in the state; instructed the immediate refund of fees paid and a waiver of fees for any new applications.”
Nigerians react to Governor Abiodun’s refund directive
Nigerians in their usual fashion took to social media to share their opinion on the matter. While some commended the governor for stepping into the matter, others thought it appalling that it happened in the first place.
Here are some of the comments:
@DamilareOdulesi posted: “So, what would have happened if there was no outcry on this act on the social media? How many of such has happened that didn't get to social media?”
@toyocee60 posted: “There's nothing spectacular about this gesture....There was no reason to demand fees from the applicants..”
@sosekg posted: “Thank you my governor for listening to the masses, and consideration on the citizens. We look forward to more. And kindly publish the modalities of sharing the packages from the Federal government. @NGRPresident @officialABAT including the rice and fertilisers.
Thanks.”
@dayormoses1 posted: “Good one from you sir. Also look into the issue of Temporary staff in all ministry’s in Ogun state civil service. Some have been on temporary since you have assumed office and till now they are yet to gain full employment sir. I know you might not know sir this happens under you.”
@wolexian posted: “Good one from the governor. @DapoAbiodunCON It shows the governor is a considerate person. Now it is left with the Civil Service Commission to refund all as instructed by governor.”
@funbiseyi1 posted: “Thank you your Excellence, hope there are official channels to complain ,if there's non compliance with above directive?”
@quadriadeniji77 posted: “So for this hard time Una get mind to dey collect 10k from person that is seeking for job. Odaju n'iyin. It shows you have no remorse or feelings for the suffering ongoing in the state. Eyan buruku n'iyin.”
@Jeduthun_22 posted: “If the news didn't exposed them on twitter they will not refund the money. It may even be audio directives.”
“This is terrible”: Ogun residents cry out over bad roads in the state
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the deplorable state of roads in Ogun State left residents feeling frustrated, making them call on the government of Ogun State to help fix the roads.
The residents cried out that the bad roads had hindered business operations and led to increased hardship in their daily lives.