Kogi State Retires 8 Permanent Secretaries, Dismisses 1774 Civil Servants

The Kogi state Government on
Sunday, confirmed the compulsory retirement of
eight permanent secretaries, some directors and
dismissal of 1, 774 others from the state civil
service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered in
Lokoja that the affected staff were served their
letters last December.
The letters were signed by the state Head of
Service, Mrs Deborah Ogunmola and the
Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission,
Mr Ado Shaibu.
A copy of the retirement letter addressed to one
of the affected permanent secretaries indicated
that the retirement was “in the interest of the
public.”
Some of the affected permanent secretaries
told NAN that they were contemplating legal
action.
However, Mrs Petra Akinti-Onyegbule, Chief
Press Secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello,
defended the action, saying it was part of
ongoing reforms in the civil service.
According to her, the retirement affected only
permanent secretaries that have served for four
years and above.
“The retired permanent secretaries have been paid
their consolidated benefits that accrued to them.
“Also affected are civil servants who have attained
the special salary grade level 17,” she said.
The governor’s media aided added that directors
that served for eight years and above would
also be affected.
She said the exact number of directors to be
affected would be based on the outcome of the
recent promotion interviews conducted for
them.
“ In order to get the best replacement for the
retired permanent secretaries, directors who had
been in office for eight years and above but are
yet to attain retirement age or maximum number
of years in office were given the opportunity to
partake in the exams to fill the position of
permanent secretaries.
“The result of the examinations which held on
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 and followed by
interviews is yet to be out.
“Until the result is out, we will not be able to put
a definite figure on the number of directors that
will be affected by the compulsory retirement,’’
she said.
The chief press secretary also confirmed that
1,667 workers with fake certificates were
dismissed from the state civil service.
She said that those dismissed were uncovered
during the screening carried out by the state
government in 2016 and 2017.
Akinti-Onyegbule also said 107 other workers
were dismissed for engaging in fraudulent
activities.
“Kogi state government is carrying out reforms at
different stages to reposition its civil service for
effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
“The screening exercise which began in 2016 has
since ended.
“The reversal of the inverted pyramid at the civil
service is another phase of the much needed
reforms meant to ensure the civil service plays its
role as the engine room of government efficiently
and effectively.” she said.