As the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service recruitment enters its final phase, the State Government has commenced oral interviews, beginning with the health sector, as part of deliberate efforts to strengthen manpower in public health facilities across the State.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Ekereobong Umoh, disclosed this on Tuesday, January 27, during an interaction with the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, at the Civil Service Commission Auditorium, Uyo. She explained that the decision to begin the interview exercise with the health sector followed the special approval of Governor Umo Eno, in view of his declaration of a State of Emergency in the sector.
According to Mrs. Umoh, the Governor’s intervention necessitated the recruitment of qualified professionals to man the numerous health centres constructed across the State. She revealed that between 240 and 250 health professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, radiographers, and medical laboratory scientists, were interviewed on the first day by two interview panels.
She further stated that the second day of the exercise was dedicated to nursing officers, noting that the health sector comprises about 22 to 23 cadres. Nursing Officers III, II, and Senior Nursing Officers, as well as biomedical engineers, were required to attend the interview in their official professional attire.
Mrs. Umoh explained that the oral interview, which has been progressing smoothly, involves specialists serving as resource persons who assess candidates based on professional competence, specialization, and compliance with established rules of engagement. Candidates, she added, are evaluated through both professional and general knowledge questions.
Describing the oral interview as the concluding stage of Governor Umo Eno’s recruitment process, the Commission Chairman recalled that the exercise began with the registration of qualified unemployed youths on the State’s unemployment portal, followed by Computer-Based Tests (CBT) conducted by the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy. She noted that the Civil Service Commission, statutorily empowered to handle recruitment into the service, is now completing the process.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for approving the recruitment exercise and commended the Chairman and members of the interview panels for ensuring a transparent and hitch-free process.
He described the exercise as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to merit-based employment, explaining that the oral interview stage was designed to authenticate and validate information earlier provided by candidates during the CBT examinations.
Rt. Hon. Umanah also lauded the Governor for approving 4,000 employment vacancies, 2,000 for the health sector and 2,000 for the teaching and core civil service respectively to bridge manpower gaps in the public service. He expressed optimism that the exercise would be successfully concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, a nursing officer, Miss Ememobong Akpan from Eket Local Government Area, thanked the State Government for providing equal opportunities to all applicants. She expressed confidence in the process and affirmed the readiness of successful candidates to serve the State with dedication and professionalism.
