President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he changed the tradition of subjecting permanent secretaries to written and oral tests before appointment, saying the administration rather opted for a “more rigorous selection process”.
He made this statement after administering the oath of office on the new permanent secretaries.
“In keeping with the change mantra of this administration, the process for your selection as permanent secretaries was a departure from the previous practice of administering written and oral examinations.
Instead, a more rigorous selection process, entailing vigorous screening of candidates’ past records, potential and capacity for holding the office, integrity, honesty and sense of commitment was adopted,” he said .
Buhari said other criteria were used in the selection process, which even saw some non-civil servants being appointed as permanent secretaries.
He expressed hope the new selection technique would bring forth some of the best, patriotic and hardworking civil servants to hold such position of trust.
“It is my hope that your subsequent conduct and performance will not prove this administration wrong,” he stated.
President Buhari warned the permanent secretaries that he would not condone excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices from the new permanent secretaries.
