FG to Redeploy More Permanent Secretaries

President Goodluck Jonathan

By Senator Iroegbu

More Permanent Secretaries would be appointed and redeployed in addition to the ones approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

A source at the Office of Head of Service of the Federation (HoS) disclosed to THISDAY that there would be appointment, deployment and re-organisation of the permanent secretaries following the exit of some who had either retired or are soon to be retired.
The source said the postings and redeployment are inevitable because of the existing vacancies and in order to also ensure geopolitical balancing in the federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Speaking to THISDAY, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Tope Ajakaiye, confirmed that there will be deployment of some permanent secretaries soon.

Ajakaiye however noted that it was only the two newly appointed permanent secretaries who were yet to be sworn in, he is aware that would be redeployed.

He said their posting were pending because of those they would be replacing, one of them, Anthony Ozodinobi of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) just retired on Wednesday, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Nicholas Damachi, would retire on March 16.

He reminded that out of the three new permanent secretaries who were approved for appointment by Jonathan on February 14 including Dr. (Mrs.) Habiba Muda Lawal, John Obinna Chukwu and Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, it was only Lawal (North East) that was redeployed.

He said both the South-east (Chukwu for Ozodinobi) and South-south (Oyo-Ita for Damachi) were yet to be sworn in, which date he revealed is scheduled for March 20.

The HoS, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, who on Wednesday announced the approval, said the redeployment and posting of nine Federal Permanent Secretaries to various MDAs including Ambassador Godknows Igali from the Ministry of Water Resources to Power.

Others are Alhaji Baba Umar Faruk moved from the Ministry of Youth Development to the Water Resources; Mr. Ossi George Afamefuna, will move from Ministry of Women Affairs to Aviation; and Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, who headed the Office of the HoS (Manpower Development Office), will now be in charge of Ministry Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

Also affected were Dr. Henry Akpan who moved from Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Special Duties) to Ministry of Communication Technology.

Dr. Tunji Olaopa was relocated from the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to Youth Development; and Dr. Illoh Clement, a new appointee, will head Labour, so is also Dr. Jamila Shuara, another appointee in charged of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Special Duties); while the latest appointee, Dr. (Mrs.) Habiba M. Lawal was posted to the Ministry Women Affairs.

Sali also directed that the process of handing and taking over should be completed on or before Wednesday, March 13, 2013.