Buhari Directs Recall Of 11 ‘Wrongfully’ Retired DPR Directors

*As President Orders Their Reinstatement

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the reinstatement of 11
retired deputy directors in the Department of Petroleum Resources
(DPR).

The President also said the affected DPR top officers be allowed
to defend the allegations of being unproductive and disloyal to the
‘system and the government’.

Before the directive, the DPR insisted that the retirement of
the 11 officers was in line with Presidential approval for the
reorganisation of the agency.

It also said by the nation’s laws, any public officer can be
retired in the interest of the public.

The affected officers were retired in March via a letter signed
by the Director/Chief Executive Officer of DPR Auwalu Sarki.

They are Dr. M.M. Zagi; Sani Hassan; A. Buba; E. Amadasu; A.R.
Shakur; U.B. Nkanga; M. A. Alaku; A.E. Antaih; Bassey Nkanga; Isah
Tafida; and J.M. Ajewole.

In the letter, titled “Re-organisation of DPR-Retirement from
service, Auwalu said: “This is to convey the approval of the
Honourable Minister, Petroleum Resources for your retirement from
the service of DPR.

“By this, Finance and Account Division has been advised to
process your retirement benefits as appropriate. The DPR expresses
gratitude for service and wishes you success in your future
endeavours.”

But the deputy directors, some of who were due for retirement in
2026 and 2029, protested, alleging unfairness and a breach of
Public Service Rules.

The aggrieved officers faulted their sudden retirement without
any basis.

They also claimed that their retirement was not in line with the
nature of their employment and the Public Service Rules.

After seeking the input of the relevant units, the President on
July 6, directed the recall of the retired officers.

This was contained in a memo to the Head of the Civil Service of
the Federation by the Presidency through the Chief of Staff to the
President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

The memo, titled “Re: Appeal to rescind letter of retirement
from service,” reads: “Kindly note that Mr. President has directed
that the Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) should
immediately recall the retired officers and request them to defend
the allegations of being unproductive and disloyal to the ‘system
and government’ levelled against them in line with DPR’s
disciplinary procedures and if found culpable, appropriate
disciplinary measures, as provided in the NNPC Corporate Policy and
Procedure Guide and Public Service Rules, be applied to them.”

*As President Orders Their Reinstatement

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the reinstatement of 11
retired deputy directors in the Department of Petroleum Resources
(DPR).

The President also said the affected DPR top officers be allowed
to defend the allegations of being unproductive and disloyal to the
‘system and the government’.

Before the directive, the DPR insisted that the retirement of
the 11 officers was in line with Presidential approval for the
reorganisation of the agency.

It also said by the nation’s laws, any public officer can be
retired in the interest of the public.

The affected officers were retired in March via a letter signed
by the Director/Chief Executive Officer of DPR Auwalu Sarki.

They are Dr. M.M. Zagi; Sani Hassan; A. Buba; E. Amadasu; A.R.
Shakur; U.B. Nkanga; M. A. Alaku; A.E. Antaih; Bassey Nkanga; Isah
Tafida; and J.M. Ajewole.

In the letter, titled “Re-organisation of DPR-Retirement from
service, Auwalu said: “This is to convey the approval of the
Honourable Minister, Petroleum Resources for your retirement from
the service of DPR.

“By this, Finance and Account Division has been advised to
process your retirement benefits as appropriate. The DPR expresses
gratitude for service and wishes you success in your future
endeavours.”

But the deputy directors, some of who were due for retirement in
2026 and 2029, protested, alleging unfairness and a breach of
Public Service Rules.

The aggrieved officers faulted their sudden retirement without
any basis.

They also claimed that their retirement was not in line with the
nature of their employment and the Public Service Rules.

After seeking the input of the relevant units, the President on
July 6, directed the recall of the retired officers.

This was contained in a memo to the Head of the Civil Service of
the Federation by the Presidency through the Chief of Staff to the
President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

The memo, titled “Re: Appeal to rescind letter of retirement
from service,” reads: “Kindly note that Mr. President has directed
that the Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) should
immediately recall the retired officers and request them to defend
the allegations of being unproductive and disloyal to the ‘system
and government’ levelled against them in line with DPR’s
disciplinary procedures and if found culpable, appropriate
disciplinary measures, as provided in the NNPC Corporate Policy and
Procedure Guide and Public Service Rules, be applied to them.”