By Dayo Omoogun
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the retirement of the former Head of Service. Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita with effect from 27th February,2020.
The statement from the OSGF reads; “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the Retirement of Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita from the Federal Civil Service with effect from Thursday, 27th February 2020”.
Oyo-Ita had been in limbo since 18th September,2019, when she was removed from office as a fall-out of a report which fingered her in some underhand deals in her office. The government has therefore stated that notwithstanding her retirement, the investigations will be taken to its logical conclusion. .
“In approving the retirement, President Muhammadu Buhari affirmed that it would be without prejudice to the on-going investigations into certain allegations against the immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. He thanked her for the invaluable services to the nation and wished her well in all future endeavours.
Following this development, Dr. Folasahade Yemi-Esan who had been holding the office in acting capacity since 18th September,2019, has been confirmed as the substantive Head of Service with effect from Friday 28th February,2020.
“President Muhammadu Buhari in exercise of the powers vested in him by Section 171 (2) (b); and in compliance with Sub-Sections (3) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has approved the appointment of Dr. (Mrs.) Folasade. O. Yemi-Esan as the substantive Head of the Civil Service of the Federation with effect from Friday, 28th February, 2020.
“The President charged the new Head of Service to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the new position so that the government could deliver on the priority areas of development already outlined. He also urged her to make the stabilization of the Federal Civil Service topmost on her agenda.
The new substantive Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs Yemi- Esan who began her Civil Service sojourn at the Ministry of Health has at various times served as Information Attache at the Nigerian Embassy in Cotedvoire, Press Attache and Head of Information and Cultural Service Centre at the Nigerian Embassy in Paris, France as well as State House (Aso Villa) Director of Information.
She has also held the office of Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Information, Education and Petroleum Resources as well as in the Office of the Head of the Civil service of the Federation at various times.