FIC Report (Delta State) – The Delta State Government has identified ranching as a necessary panacea to reduce unemployment and also, help in addressing the incessant security challenges that Nigerians are facing.
The Delta State Commissioner for Public Communication who also doubles as that of Rural and Riverine Roads, Mr.Charles Aniagwu, made the observation while briefing journalists on the benefits of the recent trip of the Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborievwori and some members of the State Executive Council to Brazil, was to understudy their agricultural development and how best to domesticate same in Delta State .
According to Mr. Aniagwu, the State was really exposed to the importance of ranching which he noted was better than allowing Fulani herdsmen moving from one community to another, for feeding their cattle. He noted that ranching would help to solve the problem of insecurity as according to him, effective utilization of the under-utilized forest, across all regions, would help dislodge kidnappers who have found such places as fertile grounds for perpetuation of their evil acts.
The Commissioner further noted that the establishment of ranching, would go a long way in providing job opportunities for the youths, emphasizing that the State Civil service cannot provide the needed job opportunities for the increasing number of graduates going into the labour market yearly.
Mr. Aniagwu also spoke on the issue of ongoing screening in the Delta State Civil service, pointing out that the focus was to help in curbing noticable issues of overaged persons still in the civil service with view to creating opportunities for the youths to be employed in the civil service. He noted that the exercise was not aimed at victimizing civil servants but an windowto check age falsification in the civil service, a development he noted, was making it difficult to inject young blood into the system.
The Commissioner used the opportunity to touch on the new dress code policy for civil and public servants in the State. He recalled that dress code had been part of the civil and public service orientation, explaining that the re-introduction of the policy was to check improper dressing and guide against civil servants looking shabbily dressed to office. He called on civil servants in the State not to look at the policy as a punishment but as a means to promote decent dressing and check provocative dressing that oftentimes lead to allegation of sexual harrasment.
He advised labour leaders in the State not to condemn the policy in totality rather, he urged them to present the issue of wardrobe allowance in proper way for the government to address.
The briefing was attended by all Directors and Deputy Directors in the Ministry, the high point of which, was a question and answer session where issues of concern were raised and clarified.
Signed
Celestine Afokobah
FIC Asaba Delta State
18th September, 2025.
