President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-ita as Head of Service for the Federal Civil service. Buhari replaced Oyo-ita with Dr. Mrs. Folashade Yemi-Esan who is to assume the role of Acting Head of the Federal Civil Service with immediate effect.
This was contained in a statement signed by Willie Bassey, who is the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Oyo’ita has been asked to embark on an indefinite leave to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conclude the investigation, being carried out on her.
Yemi-Esan was until this appointment, a Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
In addition to Yemi-Esan’s appointment, President Buhari has extended the tenure of seven Permanent Secretaries who are retiring for one year to take effect from October 1, 2019.
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According to the statement, the extension of tenure would ensure stability and effective delivery on the administration’s nine priority areas including the mandates given to the new Ministers.
The Permanent Secretaries affected are Mrs Ifeoma I. Anagbogu of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah of Ministry of Interior, Mrs Grace Gekpe of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr Umar M. Bello of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development.
Others include Mrs. Comfort C. Ekaro of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Suleiman Mustapha Lawal of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Olusegun A. Adekunle of the General Services Office i.e Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“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” the statement said to justify President Buhari’s actions