President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
In a statement on Wednesday, she was asked by the President to “proceed on an indefinite leave” in the face a probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mrs Oyo Ita was recently quizzed over allegation of fraud by the EFCC.
In her place, the presidebt appointed another woman, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan to take over as Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with immediate effect.
Director of Information at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation office, Willie Bassey, disclosed this in a statement adding that, “Dr. Mrs. Yemi-Esan, who is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources to take over from Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow for the conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”
Mr Bassey further disclosed that 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: Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah – Ministry of Interior; Mrs. Ifeoma I. Anagbogu – Federal Ministry of Women Affairs;. Mrs. Grace Gekpe – Federal Ministry of Information & Culture;. Dr. Umar M. Bello – Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural evelopment; Suleiman Mustapha Lawal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs;. Mrs. Comfort C. Ekaro – Federal Ministry of Water Resources and . Mr. Olusegun A. Adekunle – General Services Office (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation)
Similarly, President Buhari 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 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).”