President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the embattled Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, to proceed on an indefinite leave with immediate effect.
In her stead, he has appointed Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Dr. Mrs. Yemi-Esan, until her appointment was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
According to a statement issued by Willie Bassey, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation late on Wednesday, Oyo-Ita’s leave was to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He said the President has also approved the extension of the tenure of seven retiring Permanent Secretaries for a period of one calendar year with effect from 1st October, 2019 to ensure stability in the Federal Civil Service and effective delivery on the nine priority areas of the administration as well as the mandates given to the new Ministers.
The affected Permanent Secretaries are:
i. Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah – Ministry of Interior
ii. Mrs. Ifeoma I. Anagbogu – Federal Ministry of Women Affairs
iii. Mrs. Grace Gekpe – Federal Ministry of Information & Culture
iv. Dr. Umar M. Bello – Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural
Development
v. Suleiman Mustapha Lawal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
vi. Mrs. Comfort C. Ekaro – Federal Ministry of Water Resources
vii. Mr. Olusegun A. Adekunle – General Services Office (Office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation)
Also, the President has directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to commence the process for the selection of new Permanent Secretaries to replace all retiring Permanent Secretaries.
According to the statement, the government’s decision to extend the tenure of the Permanent Secretaries was hinged on the need to ensure that the new Ministers were properly guided and briefed about their sectors.
It is also expected that the Permanent Secretaries would help the Ministers to manage the process for the preparation of the 2020 Budget in line with the commitment of Government to return to the January-December budget circle.
Bassey noted that the President’s action was in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 171 (2) d of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
