47 Candidates Jostle For Five Permanent Secretary Positions

A screening panel has cleared 47 candidates for written examination on May 31 to fill vacant positions of permanent secretary in the federal civil service.

This was revealed in a circular REF NO: ACSF/CMO/AOD/012/1X/4 signed by Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, saying President Mohammadu Buhari approved the exercise.

The circular revealed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had shortlisted 47 officers out of 51 candidates who faced a screening panel from May 17 to 21.

It added that the candidates “are bidding to fill the vacancies of retired permanent secretaries and those retiring this year from Ekiti, Katsina, Nasarawa, Enugu and Lagos states. Each state has one vacancy.

“Personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS), Economic and Financial Crime Commissioner (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Commission (ICPC), attended the candidate screening process as observers.

“The screening exercise is headed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Magdalene Ajani assisted by the Permanent Secretary Career Management Office, in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Mamman Mahmuda,” the circular revealed.

The circular also, said the Director, Employee Mobility in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mallam Tijanni Babura would serve as the secretary of the panel.

In order to ensure the credibility of the exercise and ensure that the process aligned with the rules of engagement, the circular disclosed that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was present throughout the exercise.