Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has approved the appointment of 21 new permanent secretaries into the state civil service.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mrs. Petra Akinti-Onyegbule said in a statement in Lokoja on Wednesday that the appointments were made in furtherance of the ongoing reform of the state civil service.
She said that the permanent secretaries were selected after going through rigorous and painstaking processes, including written and oral examinations.
According to her, three old permanent secretaries were retained, bringing to 24 the number of permanent secretaries in the state civil service.
The chief press secretary said the appointments were based on merit and were fairly and equitably distributed across the 21 local governments in the state.
She quoted Bello as assuring the people that appointment under his administration will continue to reflect the core values of justice, equity, and fairness to all, irrespective of differences in tribe and religion.
Akinti-Onyegbule said that the governor had charged the new permanent secretaries to discharge their duties with the interest of the state at heart at all times without fear or favor.
The new permanent secretaries are Mr. Musa Yahaya Omoyi, Mr. Odei Adinoyi Johnson, Dr. Eje Celestine Ukubile, Mr. Negudu Arome Steve, Mr. Akpama Paul Sylvanus, Mr. Akowe Abimaje Awana, Mr. Usman Dan Victor, Mrs. Alfa Ruth Alolo, Mr. Igata Boniface Ugwoke, Mr. Mohammed Seria Oyenihi and Mr. Shehu Abdullahi.
Others are Mr. Momoh Abdulkadir Angulu, Mr. Alonge Ayo Daniel, Mr. Okeme Jibril Abdullahi, Mr. Stephen Ojo Peter, Mrs. Odiyo Hannah Onyinoyi, Mr. Jimoh Adinoyi Mohammed, Mr. Idenyi Emmanuel Samson, Mr. Idakwoje Labaran Idris, Mr. Ikuborue Olutoyin Davies and Mr. Aina Eric Dele.
The retained permanent secretaries are Mr. Mahmoud Kassim, Hajia Memunat Audu, and Mr. J.F. Kolawole.