House C’ttee Summons HoS over Extension of Service of Education Ministry Perm Sec

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has summoned the Head of Service of the Federation, Ms. Winifred Oyo-Ita, over the extension of years of service of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, in breach of public service rules.

Public service rules stipulate compulsory retirement from government service for officers who have served for 35 years or on attainment of 60 years of age.

Suara, by her own admission, has served for 35 years and has exceeded 60 years of age.
At a prior meeting with the committee, Shu’ara, now 61 years, had claimed she received an extension from the presidency for a period of one year.

The extension expired on February 14, 2017.
The committee noted that her continued stay in office as Permanent Secretary based on period of service and her age, is a gross violation of laid down regulations.

The committee has therefore directed her to produce the evidence of the waiver she received from the pPresidency.
She was scheduled to appear alongside the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu and Oyo-Ita, before the committee yesterday, with the evidence.

All three officials however shunned the committee.
Miffed at the development, the committee Chairman, Hon. Zakari Mohammed (Kwara APC), directed that all the officials must appear before the committee on March 9, 2017 at 12 noon.

“If they fail, we would be forced to resort to our usual parliamentary practice, regarding failure of public officers to adhere to summons by the parliament,” he said.

Mohammed expressed concerned at the implications of Shu’ara ‘s continued stay in office.
“We just received a letter from her, that she is not in town, but we are aware that she is in town. She should come and tell us whether an officer can stay beyond 35 years in service. The implication is that any action she takes officially after that may not stand,” he said.