The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Head of Service

  • Perm Sec tenure extension: Reps fault President’s Chief of Staff’s letter

    Perm Sec tenure extension: Reps fault President’s Chief of Staff’s letter

    Tempers flared on Tuesday at the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education meeting with the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita over the extension of the tenure of the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr Jamilah Shu’ara.

    The committee had insisted on the need to be intimated with the extant laws on which her extension as permanent secretary was hinged, but the Head of Service could not provide any constitutional backing for her action, except a letter from the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

    It demanded to see the letter the HOS wrote which the Chief of Staff was responding to and also wondered why it took the Chief of Staff a year to respond, particularly only when the extension was under probe by the House committee.

    The Head of Service refused to produce the letter prompting lawmakers to insist that she must produce it by Thursday.

    The committee members were angry that the investigative sessions of the committee had been postponed twice at the instance of the HOS and a third one was given on Tuesday, effectively slowing the committee’s investigation.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Zakari Mohammed, faulted the letter by the Chief of Staff saying anyone in the Civil Service who has attained the age of 60 years or 35 years in Service ought to retire. The only other option is if the person is appointed by the President under section Kyari quoted ” but not an extension of tenure”.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dd9e40″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]The letter from the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari dated 20th, March 2017 to the HOS purported to have approved the extension of Shu’ara tenure indicted the HOS by showing it was in response to a letter from her.

    The letter reads in part: “I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter ref. No. HCSF/1013/I dated March 17th, 2016.
    “In line with the provisions of 171 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Mr.President has approved the extension of the appointment of Dr Mrs Jamila Shu’ara by one year in a special dispensation which should not be cited as policy[/quote]

    The committee has vowed to get to the bottom of the matter by Thursday.

    According to the Chairman of the committee, “the HOS is frustrating this committee from doing its job.”

    The lawmakers have been trying to investigate the mystery behind the second time extension of the tenure of Dr Jamilah Shu’ara a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education who was supposedly retired.

    Her tenure was extended from February 2016 to 2017 and again from 2017 to 2018.

    In the first instance, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu had appeared on behalf of Dr Jamilah Shu’ara when he was not invited prompting curiously from Rep members on his motive particularly when Shu’ara did not put up an appearance on that date.

    The ministry later wrote the committee that she has been removed as Permanent Secretary. Surprisingly, she was said to have been reinstated again and her tenure extended a second time.

     

     

  • Aishat Buhari greets Osinbajo’s at 60th

    Aishat Buhari greets Osinbajo’s at 60th

    Members of cabinet on Wednesday wished Acting President Yemi Osinbajo happy 60th birthday anniversary.

    They sang a birthday song for him after the rendition of the National anthem and opening prayers by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, and Head of Service, Mrs. Ekanem Oyo-Ita.

    As the Acting President was about to take his seat for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to begin, the cabinet members remained standing and sang the birthday song.

    After the songs and good wishes, Osinbajo replied with a prayer for the cabinet members.

    He said: “For the young men and women who are below 60, I pray that you will soon be 60. For those who are 60, I pray that you be 120 and above in Jesus name, Amen.”

    Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, in her Twitter handle, also wished Osinbajo happy Birthday.

    She said: “On the occasion of the birthday of Your Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Ag. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to extend my congratulations to you and to state that the years you have spent building your reputation in multiple capacities have today resulted in your ability to carry out your duties in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that a better Nigeria is realized. Congratulations and Happy Birthday”

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  • El-Rufa’i swears-in new Head of Service

    El-Rufa’i swears-in new Head of Service

    Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, on Friday urged more women in the country to join public service in order to move the nation forward.

    El-Rufa’i made the call in Kaduna when he swore-in the state new Head of Service, Hajia Bariatu Ibrahim.

    The governor believed that women have always had exemplary carrier in the public service and pledged that his administration would always give them the chance to excel.

    According to him, the new head of service has contributed immensely towards improving and revamping the state civil service.

    “Before we came into office we were informed by the UK Department for International Development that Kaduna state civil service is the most competent out of the 19 Northern states; that was some reassurance.

    “But still there are a lot of work to be done to renew and revitalise the civil service.

    “I am happy that Bariatu has done previous work in this area and she will now take charge of this vital duty of ensuring that our public service is young , energetic, ICT compliant and gender balanced.”

    In her remarks, Ibrahim thanked the governor for the appointment and promised to pursue ongoing reform of the state civil service.

    Responding to questions from journalists after the event, the head of service said she would focus on the training of personnel to drive the reform process.

    According to her, absence of training was identified as one of the major inhibitions to an effective result-oriented civil service.

    “We had selected few people who are competent in various cadres in the civil service, we put them together and did a workshop and we identified our weaknesses and our strength.

    “One of such weaknesses is absence of training, and we expect that the training of all cadre of staff will be the beginning of the reform programme in the state.”

    She solicited the support of all civil servants and the guidance of Allah to enable her succeed in “this big task” as head of the state civil service. 

  • Kaduna gets new Head of Service

    Kaduna gets new Head of Service

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i has announced the appointment of Mrs Bariatu Mohammed as the Kaduna State Head of Service.

    A statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by Samuel Aruwan, media aide to the governor said Mohammed succeeded Mrs Alisabatu Dada-Onazi who retired from service on December 31, 2016.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that until her elavation, Mohammed was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.

    “Mrs Mohammed, from Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, joined the Kaduna State Civil Service on 7th August, 1984 and rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary on April 1, 2012,” the statement added.

    She was at various times Permanent Secretary Public Service Office; Bureau of Establishments, Management Services and Training, as well as in the office of the Head of Service.

    The governor commended the retired Head of Service for her hard work and foresight, and in driving on-going reforms in the state civil service.

    He also said that the government was indebted to her for her resilience towards the success of the staff verification exercise, which laid the foundation for the reforms of the service.

  • Masari appoints new Head of Service

    Masari appoints new Head of Service

    Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has approved the appointment of Alhaji Garba Sanda Mani as the new Head of Service of the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Katsina.

    The statement said the appointment took immediate effect.

    It said Mani’s appointment was based on his track record of service.

    ‘’Your selection is in recognition of your track record of service and on the conviction that you will serve faithfully, diligently and in the best interest of the state,’’ the statement said.

    It said the appointee was born on Oct. 15, 1959; he began his working career in 1983 in the old Kaduna State as a Master Grade II officer in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    It said Mani is an Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduate of Political Science, 1982.

    The statement said the appointee also holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) from the same university in 2012.

    It said the new Head of Service is also an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, where he successfully completed the Senior Executive Course 32 in 2010.

    It said Mani was appointed a Permanent Secretary in 2007, an office he has held until his present appointment.

  • Oyo Workers suspend strike

    The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered the suspension of seven weeks indefinite strike over the non-payment of workers’ salary and allowances in the state.

    It will be recalled that the state government based on the agreement with the national leaders of the union, set up a 14 man committee two weeks ago from both the government and labour sides to deliberate on how to resolve the industrial impasse.

    The strike was called off after a joint Memorandum of Understanding signed by the 14 man committee which includes: the Secretary to the State Government, Ishmael Alli, Chairman of NLC in the State, Waheed Olojede, Head of Service, Soji Eniade, and Commissioner for Finance, Abimbola Adekanmbi.

    The National Vice-President of NLC (Southwest), Comrade Solomon Adelegan declared the strike off late on Monday, as the Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Waheed Olojede confirmed the suspension of the strike saying it was based on the agreement among the parties.

    He disclosed that the leadership of the union agreed to suspend the strike based on the fact that the state government has decided to pay two months salary arrears of workers, plead with the banks to exclude workers who are owing them from deduction of their debt from the two months salary to be paid as well as the release outstanding promotion letters to workers.

    Olojede said both parties have agreed to continue with the negotiation on all the outstanding issue, adding that the suspension of the strike was considered in the interest of members of the union.

    Also confirming the suspension, the Secretary of the union in the state, Kofo Ogundeji said the national leaders of the congress have ordered the suspension of the strike based on the above agreement.

    The MOU reads in part:” That the total amount received from the federal Account for the month of June, 2016 was N2.1 billion and that an additional sum of N1.39 billion, being the first tranche of the budget support facility, was equally received from the Federal Government, bring the total available sum to N3.495 billion in the government coffers that could immediately be utilized for payment of salary, wages and pensions of the state workforce.

    “That the total sum of N3.495 billion, which is readily available will be immediately disbursed to honour the State’s obligations on salaries, wages and pensions for the month of January 2016. That an appeal be made by the State Government to banks to grant concerned workers a moratorium of two months on their January and February 2016 salaries and pensions on their debt service obligation.

    “That a a letter of apology be tendered to government by principals, teachers and pupils of schools engaged in the breach of the peace and destruction of government properties. That the government withdraws all outstanding litigation against labour. That no worker would be victimised as a result of participation in the industrial action. That the industrial action be suspended forthwith.”

    Similarly, the Chairman of the government/labour committee, Ishmael Alli, while briefing journalist on Tuesday accompanied of the Head of Service, Soji Eniade and Commissioner for Information, Toye Arulogun, Alli said deliberation will still continue among the members of the committee to forestall a future reocurrence of industrial impasse.

    He promised that the state government would pay the workers two months salary within the next two weeks.

    “The state government appreciates the citizens of the state for their support during the strike action. We urged you to continue to support the Abiola Ajimobi led administration which strives to elevate the standards, promote ethical values and good governance in the state” he said.

    Since the strike commenced, most of the workers have continued to decry their living conditions based on the non-payment of their salaries.

    However, most members of the workers in the state are unaware of the suspension and they have kicked against collecting two months’ salary out of the seven months the government owes them.

    They stated that their leaders should address them at the same place where the strike was declared, stressing that it was wrong for the seven months old strike to be suspended on the media.

  • Oyo Workers suspends seven months indefinite strike

    Oyo Workers suspends seven months indefinite strike

    The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has ordered the suspension of seven weeks indefinite strike against the non payment of workers salary and allowances in the state.

    It will be recalled that the state government based on the agreement with the national leaders of the union, set up a 14 man committee two weeks ago from both the government and labour sides to deliberate on how to resolve the industrial impasse.

    The strike was called off after a joint Memorandum of Understanding signed by the 14 man committee which includes: the Secretary to the State Government, Ishmael Alli, Chairman of NLC in the State, Waheed Olojede, Head of Service, Soji Eniade, and Commissioner for Finance, Abimbola Adekanmbi.

    The National Vice-President (Southwest), of NLC , Comrade Solomon Adelegan declared the strike off around 11:15pm on Monday.

    Also, the Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Waheed Olojede confirmed the suspension of the strike around 11.30pm on Monday, said it was based on the agreement among the parties.

    He disclosed that the leadership of the union agreed to suspend the strike based on the fact that the state government has decided to pay two months salaries arrears of workers, plead with the banks to exclude workers who are owing them from deduction of their debt from the two months salaries to be paid as well as the release outstanding promotion letters to workers.

    Olojede said both parties have agreed to continue with the negotiation on all the outstanding issue, adding that the suspension of the strike was consider in the interest of members of the union.

    Also confirming the suspension, the Secretary of the union in the state, Kofo Ogundeji said the national leaders of the congress has ordered the suspension of the strike based on the above agreement.

    The MOU reads in part:” That the total amount received from the federal Account for the month of June, 2016 was N2.1 billion and that an additional sum of N1.39 billion, being the first tranche of the budget support facility, was equally received from the Federal Government, bring the total available sum to N3.495 billion in in the government coffers that could immediately be utilized for payment of salary, wages and pensions of the state workforce.

    “That the total sum of N3.495 billion which is readily available will be immediately disbursed to honour the State’s obligations on salaries, wages and pensions for the month of January 2016. That an appeal be made by the State Government to banks to grant concerned workers a moratorium of two months on their January and February 2016 salaries and pensions on their debt service obligation.

    “That a a letter of apology be tendered to government by principals, teachers and pupils of schools engaged in the breach of peace and destruction of government properties. That the government withdraws all all outstanding litigation against labour. That no worker would be victimised as a result of participation in the industrial action. That the industrial action be suspended forthwith”

    Similarly, the Chairman of the government/labour committee, Ishmael Alli, while briefing journalist on Tuesday accompanied of the Head of Service, Soji Eniade and Commissioner for Information, Toye Arulogun, Alli said deliberation will still continue among the members of th committee to forestall future reoccurence of industrial impasse.

    He promised that the state government would pay the workers two months salary within the next two weeks.

    “The state government appreciates the citizens of the state for their support during the strike action. We urged you to continue to support the Abiola Ajimobi led administration which strives to elevate the standards, promote ethical values and good governance in the state” he said

    Since the strike commenced, most of the workers have continue to decried their living conditions based on the non payment of their salaries.

    However, most members of the workers in the state are unaware of the suspension and they have kicked against collecting two months salary out of the seven months the government is owing them.

    They stated that their leaders should address them at the same place where the strike was declared, stressing that it was wrong for the seven months old strike to be suspended on the media.

  • Court adjourns Oronsaye’s case as judges attend conference

    Court adjourns Oronsaye’s case as judges attend conference

    Justice Gabriel Kolawale of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday adjourned the case of former Head of Service, Mr Stephen Oronsaye, to May 18 for continuation of hearing.

     

    Oronsaye and his counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi, were already in court when the registrar announced that the court would not sit and that all the cases had been adjourned.

     

    The registrar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the adjournment was because judges of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal were attending a seminar on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

     

    He added that the information got to the court late and that was why counsel and parties could not be reached until Thursday morning.

     

    While cases for ruling and judgement were fixed for Friday, other counsel were asked to pick suitable dates.

     

    Oronsaye is standing trial for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government, using his position as the then Chairman, Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force.

  • New Head of Service for Lagos

    New Head of Service for Lagos

    The appointment of a new Head of Service, HOS, for Lagos state,  Mrs. Olabowale Toluwalope Ademola has been approved by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Ademola  is the 19th HOS in the State Public Service.

    The new appointment was contained In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna yesterday.

    Mrs. Ademola’s appointment which takes effect immediately, follows the statutory retirement of Mrs. Folashade Jaji on 26th October, 2015.

    The new HOS was born on November 10, 1957. She had her Primary Education at Corona School, Yaba and Lagos University Staff School (1962 – 1968).

    She proceeded to Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos where she obtained her West African School Certificate and Higher School Certificate in 1973 and 1975 respectively.

    Thereafter, she was admitted to the University of Ibadan where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (Second Class Honours – Upper Division) in Economics in 1981.

    She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos and the Lagos Business School respectively.

    After several stints in the private sector, Mrs. Ademola joined the State Water Corporation as Controller Audit in 1995 before her transfer to the Mainstream Civil Service in 1999 where she rose to become Permanent Secretary in 2010.

    Until her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service Pensions Office.

  • Head of Federal Civil Service Danladi Kifasi quits

    Head of Federal Civil Service Danladi Kifasi quits

    •How Perm Secs used anti-Diezani’s sentiments to conspire against HoS

    There was tension yesterday following the “sudden” decision of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi to proceed on retirement.

    There were strong indications last night that Kifasi might have been pressurised to quit office following the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal from the Northeast like Kifasi.

    The thinking of the government was that two sensitive posts cannot be conceded to the Northeast.

    The same Northeast holds the offices of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Staff to the President among others.

    It was learnt that Kifasi read the mood of the presidency to zone the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to the South (especially Southsouth or Southeast) and offered to proceed on retirement.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Kifasi is proceeding on retirement because he was born on January 1, 1956 and by the civil service rule, you are either expected to retire either when you attain 60 years or upon putting 35 years in public service.

    “And ideally, he ought to proceed on pre-retirement leave at least three months before leaving office.

    “Certainly, Kifasi has notified President Muhammadu Buhari of plans to go on pre-retirement leave. But the President’s visit to Cross River State delayed the formal acceptance of the notice.”

    Another source said: “Even if Kifasi is not retiring, the Principle of Federal Character as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution does not favour him.

    “The Presidency has been weighing options on how to address the challenge of producing the SGF and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation from the Northeast. You know the administration of the President has been heavily criticised for favouring the Northeast.”

    It was also learnt that the conspiracy of many Permanent Secretaries against Kifasi hastened his premature retirement.

    Besides disdain for Kifasi, some Permanent Secretaries eyeing the office had wielded anti-Diezani Alison-Madueke’s sentiments against the outgoing Head of Service.

    They alleged that Mrs Alison-Madueke was the brain behind the appointment of Kifasi as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation having worked as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    The aggrieved Permanent Secretaries also labeled him as a civil servant “loyal to PDP cause.”

    “In fact, Kifasi has been having a running battle with some Permanent Secretaries who had shown apparent disloyalty against him.

    “There was a case of a Permanent Secretary who attempted to create a wedge between he President and Kifasi before the G-8 Summit. An assignment sent to Kifasi did not get to him until about 48 hours to the trip.

    “The President was livid with anger until it was discovered that there was sabotage on the part of a Permanent Secretary. The President had to forgive Kifasi.

    “Some of these Permanent Secretaries also engineered petitions against Kifasi based on some issues already resolved in his favour.

    “That seat was certainly hot for him despite the fact that he is not loyal to PDP as being insinuated.”