Buhari Sends Oyo-Ita On Indefinite Suspension, Appoints Yemi-Esan As Acting Head Of Civil Service – TheNigerialawyer

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr.
Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of
the Federation with immediate effect.

In a statement signed by Mr. Willie Bassey, Director
Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Yemi-Esan, who was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Petroleum Resources, takes over from Mrs. Winifred 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.

The President has 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).