Buhari Sacks Head of Service Oyo-Ita, Names Replacement

Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Service of the Federation, has been sent on an indefinite suspension by President Muhammadu Buhari.

YaahooJournalist reports that the Twitter handle of the Nigerian Government “@ngrpresident,” announced Oyo-Ita’s indefinite suspension on Wednesday night

The statement said President Buhari also named Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of Service “with immediate effect”.

YaahooJournalist reports that the suspended Oyo-Ita is being probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, over an alleged N3 billion contract fraud.

President Buhari has also approved the extension of the tenure of seven retiring Permanent Secretaries for one year with effect from 1st October 2019.

The statement said the permanent secretaries were given an extension 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.

YaahooJournalist reports that the statement listed the seven retiring Permanent Secretaries whose tenures are being extended by the President for one year to include: 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).

The statement added: “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 to extend the tenure of these Permanent Secs 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 to return to the January-December budget circle and help develop various policies and programmes aimed at lifting 100 million 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)”, concluded the statement signed by Willie Bassey, director of information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the statement added.