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Perm- Sec Exam: Officials hail return to 8-year policy, insist on merit based exercise, not vacancies

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The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, Tuesday afternoon published on its website the result of the written exam it conducted for Directors from different states across the nation to fill vacant positions of permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

According to a circular with reference number HCSF/PS/CMO/178/VOL.11/85, dated 7th November 2023, those that passed the written exam have been invited for proficiency test tomorrow, Wednesday, November 8, at 8.am. The test is to take place at the Muhammadu Buhari Centre, National Intelligence Agency, Asokoro Abuja by 10 am.

A close examination of the circular, reveals that out of the 85 Directors cleared to sit for the written exam, 61 of them failed to meet the minimum mark of 50 percent as only 20 of them passed, while the other four candidates were absent perhaps for fear of going through the rigours which the selection machinery put in place by the office is known for or forother reasons best known to the candidates.

The circular with the title: ‘Result of the written examination for the appointment of permanent secretaries conduction on 6th November 2023, was signed by Dr. Ernest Afolabi, Umakhihe, on behalf of the examination committee.

Attempts to get in touch with the undersigned, the Head of Service of the Federation or any member of the committee has been futile up to the point of publishing as it is gathered from the grapevine that all examiners are kept in isolation from the rest of the world during the process.

Some civil servants whom we spoke to and pleaded not to be mentioned on the matter for fear of been identified described the issue or system of upholding merit in the appointment of permanent secretaries in the federal civil service as a very welcome development and innovation. According to them, the system which has been enforced for some years now since the coming of the current Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esanhas visibly produced more seasoned officers to take up the strategic position of

permanent secretaryas only the best that are selected. According to them, the number of officers who scaled through the first stage only goes to show that this exam is not about filling vacancies for states but about the quality of officers the service can produce. “It’s not about the quantity but the quality of the permanent secretaries”, an officer stated.

Some other civil servants were also of the opinion that the space to compete for the position should be broadened with the aim of showcasing the many other talents in the service who may not be eligible to sit and most especially had been stagnated and suppressed due to the previously suspended eight-year tenure policy in the Federal civil service.

Some of the Officers who are now in theIntermediate directorate cadre in the service told Nationwide Reports that “our Hopes of rising to become full directors or even permanent secretaries are now Renewed. We want to thank Mr. President for his continuous support for meritocracy in the service because honestly we don’t have any God father”.

We also gathered that In spite of mudslinging, blackmail and spurious petitions sponsored by vested interests, the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has insisted that the Civil Service must stick to meritocracy rather than succumb to threats and blackmail.

”The space to compete for the position should be broadened with the aim of showcasing the many other talents in the service who may not be eligible to sit and most especially had been stagnated and suppressed due to the previously suspended eight-year tenure policy in the Federal civil service”.

 

Some of the officers pointed out that “The issue is that most Nigerians are used to cutting corners, bribery and the use of influential people like governors, ministers, senators, traditional rulers, religious leaders and others such ‘powerful’ people to get appointment as permanent secretaries in the federal civil service.

“To end the use of such mediocre approach in selecting permanent secretaries, the current leadership of the Office had approached the presidency during the era of former president Muhammadu

Buhari who approved the policy of conducting written examination followed by proficiency test in order to ensure that the most qualified and competent directors are appointed as permanent secretaries.

The resort to this rigorous process of appointment became necessary in order to comply with international best practices, in
view of the fact that permanent secretaries are the actual policy formulators in the federal ministries who are supposed to guide the politicians appointed as ministers,” they stated.

“We need to emphasise meritocracy and the protection of the integrity of the selection process of permanent Secretaries. It should not be about the number of successful candidates but the quality of the candidates that would eventually emerge.”

They therefore called on the government to resist pressure from lobbyists who are ready to resort to all manner of parochial sentiment including ethnicity and religion in attempt to revert back to the inglorious past when everything is allowed to go through.

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“My husband is dying,” El Rufai’s wife raises the alarm

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Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai is currently facing challenges in detention, and constantly bleeding from both his nose and mouth, indicating serious health issues.

In a public statement to mark El Rufai’s “150th Day in incarceration,” one of his wives, Aisa, made the claims and appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as her husband’s prolonged detention and alleged denial of due process.

She argued that the former governor’s continued incarceration amounted to “punishment before trial” and posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Aisha also called on foreign governments, multilateral organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving her husband.

However, many people have taken to the social media to ask Aisa where she was when her husband, as governor of Kaduna State, was persecuting thousands of citizens, especially Christians from Southern Kaduna.

So others have wondered where Aisa was when her husband, then governor of Kaduna State threatened foreign elections observers that they would be taken back to their countries if they try to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process.

 

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NiMet concludes 10-Day climate risk management training for agric professionals

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The 10-Day train-the-trainer workshop on Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has come to a successful end.

The training workshop was organized by NiMet, in collaboration with some partners, including International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sasakawa Africa Association, and others.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of NiMet, described agricultural extension officers as the critical link between climate services and farmers, noting that they translate weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection, and water management.

He said the training reflects the collective commitment of NiMet and its partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable, and useful to farmers across Nigeria.

Professor Anosike noted that the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will strengthen the capacity of extension personnel to deliver climate-informed advisory services. Citing evidence that effective, localized extension services can increase agricultural productivity by 20–30 percent while reducing vulnerability to climate shocks, he urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives, and rural communities.

He stressed that the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by improved farmer livelihoods, stronger climate resilience, and enhanced national food security.

The NiMet boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalizing and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of the Agency’s efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and contribute to national food security.

In a closing remark on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an essential component of modern agricultural extension. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to provide farmers with timely, reliable, and actionable climate information that supports informed decision-making and resilient agricultural production.

Others at the event include Mr. Pierre Sibiry, ILRI Representative; Dr. Jim Hansen, Resource Person; Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to cascade the training across extension networks and farming communities, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and farm-level decision-making while improving farmers’

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Ex-President Jonathan expresses sadness over death of Amaechi’s mother

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Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, has expressed sadness over the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, mother of former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Jonathan expressed his feelings Saturday, in a condolence message signed by media aide, Ikechukwu Exe and sent to Nationwide Reports.

The former president his expressed his  sympathies to Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, and all those mourning the late matriarch.

He described the death of a mother as a profound loss, noting that although death is inevitable, the enduring legacy of a life dedicated to faith, family and service continues to inspire and comfort those left behind.

Dr. Jonathan observed that the late Mrs. Amaechi’s profile reflected a life of exemplary devotion to God, family and community. He noted that her reputation as “a woman of faith, compassion and quiet strength, as well as her commitment to promoting peace, unity and service, earned her the admiration and respect of all who knew her.”

He prayed that God Almighty would grant Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the entire family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging them to “draw solace from the cherished memories of her exemplary life and the enduring values she imparted to her family and community.”

The former President also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed matriarch.

 

 

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