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CSOs oppose ICT exams as condition for appointment of permanent secretaries

Published

4 years ago

May 25, 2021

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have appealed to the Federal Government to shelve the planned ICT and written examination for the appointment of five permanent secretaries slated for May 31 and June 3.

The group under the aegis New Era for Sustainable Leadership and Accountability Initiative (NESLAI), led by its Executive Director, Edwin Olorunfemi, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the process to select five new permanent secretaries to replace the five retired ones in Ekiti, Katsina, Nasarawa, Enugu and Lagos States.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan said in a statement that 47 candidates were cleared to sit for a written examination to fill the five vacancy

It was, however, said that candidates would sit for written and Information Communications Technology (ICT) examinations to select the best five to fill the vacant posts.

The CSOs commended the head of service for the selection of the committee for the process of selection for the accreditation exercise for the appointment of the permanent secretaries.

They, however, faulted the procedure of sitting for written and ICT examination to select or appoint new permanent secretaries into federal ministries.

The group described the process of subjecting a director to ICT proficiency test in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Application which was expected of the support staff, as laughable.

“If anything, it is making a mess of the candidates and the entire civil service.

“Our stand still remains that written and ICT examination slated for May 31 and June 3, be dropped.

”It is worthy of note that, for a civil servant to rise to the level of director, he/she must have sat for about 10 examinations from Grade level 08 to Grade level 17.

”On this backdrop, we are appealing to the Federal Government to drop the idea of written and ICT examination as it is tantamount to waste of time and resources.

“However, we request the government to appraise and appoint permanent secretaries on their past contributions as directors to national development.

”The written examination and ICT proficiency test of May 31 and June 3, be collapsed into oral interview and interactive session for the 47 successful accredited candidates.

”Candidates should be asked on-the-job questions and their achievement so far in their respective positions as directors.

”With this, the best three candidates from each state can be recommended to Mr President for the appointment,” he said.

Olorunfemi expressed hope that the Federal government would heed to the advice and act accordingly. (NAN)

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News

FG Secures Financing For Aba-Maiduguri Rail Line, Enhances Eastern Corridor Connectivity

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2025

News Editor

Rail lines

The Federal Government has successfully secured full financing for the completion of the Aba–Maiduguri rail corridor, which is a crucial part of the 1,443-kilometer Port Harcourt Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway Project.

Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Alkali, made the announcement on Wednesday during a government-citizen engagement forum at Arewa House in Kaduna. He stated that the project will traverse Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue States, significantly boosting regional trade, passenger mobility, and economic integration across Nigeria’s eastern corridor.

“The financing for this strategic route is now secured, and we are dedicated to completing the full stretch from Aba to Maiduguri,” the minister affirmed.

Alkali also mentioned the ongoing rehabilitation of the old Lagos–Kano Narrow Gauge Railway, highlighting that freight services have resumed between Apapa Port and the Kano Inland Dry Port. This is part of the government’s efforts to decongest seaports, promote inland port operations, and support industrial logistics.

Additionally, the announcement reflects a broader initiative by the Tinubu administration to revitalize Nigeria’s aging rail infrastructure and strengthen inter-regional connectivity through modern transport systems.

Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, confirmed the minister’s statements.

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News

Benue Governor, Alia Dissolved State Executive Council

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2025

News Editor

Benue State Governor , Rev Fr, Hyacinth Alia

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the state executive council, retaining only the position of Chief of Staff, which will now be held by Barr. Moses Atagher, the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Atagher, an experienced administrator and former acting Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, was appointed as the new Chief of Staff, effective immediately, at the close of the 12th executive council meeting of 2025.

Terso Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, announced that the dissolution affects only the commissioners.

Governor Alia expressed his appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their two years of service, encouraging those who may not be reappointed to remain loyal to the party and continue supporting the administration.

Speaking on behalf of the dissolved commissioners, Barr. Bemsen Mnyim thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve, describing the experience as a valuable learning process.

The former commissioners have been instructed to hand over their responsibilities to the permanent secretaries of their respective ministries.

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News

Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi As New Fire Service Controller-General

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2025

Muyiwa Bamidele

New Fire Service Controller General, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Deputy Controller-General (DCG) Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), effective August 14, 2025.

The announcement was made in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin.

“This appointment comes ahead of the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, on August 1, 2025, as he reaches the age of sixty.

“DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi brings a wealth of experience to this new role. He transferred from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and has progressed to the rank of Deputy Controller-General of Fire in the Human Resource Directorate at the Service Headquarters.

Throughout his career, Adeyemi has successfully completed all mandatory in-service training, participated in command courses, and attended various courses both within Nigeria and abroad.

He has served in numerous capacities and is a member and fellow of several professional associations, including the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria, and the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.

The Board also extends its appreciation to the retiring Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, for his remarkable contributions to the development of the Federal Fire Service, acknowledging his dedication, commitment, and the numerous initiatives he spearheaded during his tenure,” the statement added.

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