By Abiola Olawale
With less than five weeks to the expiration of his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, swore in six new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.
The swearing-in event which held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, comes about one month to the expiration of Buhari’s tenure as the president of Nigeria.
The swearing-in which took place between the hours of 10:05 – 10:30 am, came shortly before the commencement of this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting.
The appointees and their states of origin are: Mahmud Kambari (Borno State), Esuabana Nko-Asanye (Cross River), Lamuwa Ibrahim (Gombe), (Yakubu Kofar-Mata (Kano), Oloruntola Michael (Ogun) and Richard Pheelangwah (Taraba State).
While reading the citation of the new officers, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the event marked the culmination of a week-long prequalification exercise for directors by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
“Mr President, six persons have fulfilled the condition as permanent secretaries after a selection exercise recently conducted for directors.
“This exercise involved competency tests and interactions with a wide range of stakeholders,” he said.
It would be recalled that Buhari in March had approved their appointments.
On March 29, 2023, the Head of Civil of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, announced that Buhari had given nod to the appointment of the six permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, following the recently conducted selection process.