The Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of 500 civil servants in the state.

The recruitment will be carried out in the first phase of the state government's quarterly employment drive.

The scheme will ensure the engagement of 2, 000 youths by the end of the year.

Governor Ahmed, who announced the decision in Ilorin, said the Office of the Head of Service had been directed to commence procedures for the employment of the first 500 youths by March this year.

Giving further clarification in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede, Ahmed said the 2, 000 jobs would be split between the teaching service commission and the mainstream civil service.

Ahmed stressed that the new jobs are distinct from the more than 5, 000 new jobs that will be created under the Quickwin Empowerment Scheme which will also commence in March, 2014.

Ahmed said that his administration would spare no effort in creating direct and indirect jobs in line with its commitment to youth empowerment.

The state government, he said, would also ensure equity and merit in the recruitment to significantly reduce unemployment and give the youth greater sense of belonging in the state.

He disclosed his administration's determination to create a new crop of young entrepreneurs in the state as it is more beneficial to generate job creators rather than job seekers.