President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan as
the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with immediate
effect. Dr. Mrs. Yemi-Esan, who is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Petroleum Resources takes over from Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who
has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion
of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission.
In a statement Wednesday night, President Buhari also approved the
extension of the tenure of seven (7) 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)
Similarly, Mr. 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.
The decision of Government to extend the tenure of these Permanent
Secretaries is premised on the need to ensure that the new Ministers are
properly guided, briefed about their sectors and to ensure that a solid
foundation is laid for the delivery on the Presidential Mandate which
they jointly signed.
The Permanent Secretaries will also 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
and help develop various policies and programmes aimed at lifting
100million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.
The action of Mr. President is in exercise of the powers conferred under
Section 171 (2) d of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria (as amended).