President Buhari reads the Riot Act to civil servants

It was said that barely 48 hours after ordering the retirement of 17 permanent secretaries, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday handed down a note of warning to civil servants at all levels that his administration would not condone any act of indiscipline and corrupt practices.

He also justified his administration’s decision to drop the previous practice of administering written and oral examinations on civil servants being considered for the position of permanent secretaries.

Buhari spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja shortly after administering oaths of office on 16 out of the 18 new permanent secretaries whose appointments he approved on Tuesday after retiring 17.

The remaining two new permanent secretaries are said to be abroad at the time their appointments were announced and would take their oaths at a later date.

The President said the responsibilities bestowed on the permanent secretaries are so enormous that the success or otherwise of the present government would depend on their competence, ability and capacity to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.

He reiterated that his administration’s focus is to create employment for the youth, fight corruption, tackle insecurity, and diversify economic base with emphasis on agricultural development, solid minerals exploitation as well as provision of infrastructural services.