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, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by EFCC.
Yemi-Esan, until her appointment was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The President has also approved the extension of the tenure of seven retiring Permanent Secretaries for one year with effect from 1st October, 2019.
The statement said the permanent secretaries were given an extension 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 and Culture; and Dr Umar M. Bello, Federal Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development.
Others are 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).
“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.