FG reverses Women Centre DG’s suspension, warns boards against interference

The Federal Government has reversed the suspension of the Director General of the National Women Development Centre, Mrs Mary Ikpere Eta, by the Governing Board, which was recently inaugurated by the government. The Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Olusegun Adekunle, gave the directive […]

The Federal Government has reversed the suspension of the Director General of the National Women Development Centre, Mrs Mary Ikpere Eta, by the Governing Board, which was recently inaugurated by the government.

The Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Olusegun Adekunle, gave the directive on Friday in a circular.

This is as the government warns the federal governing boards of MDAs to maintain government position on sittings, non-interference in the day-to-day running of the agencies.

“To all intents and purposes, Government reiterates the position that Boards of Agencies are to provide general policy guidelines and frameworks, and not to interfere with the day to day management of the Agencies.

“The Boards and Chief Executive Officers are all appointed by Mr. President, according to stated terms and conditions with clearly established rules and procedures for subjecting Chief Executive Officers to disciplinary measures including suspension from office. In this respect, this process has not been followed.

“Consequently, Government directs the reversal of the suspension of Mrs. Mary Ikpere Eta as the Director-General. She is accordingly directed to resume her duties immediately at the National Women Development Centre,” Adekunle said.

Speaking earlier when he hosted the Chairman and Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Gida Mustapha urged the boards of Federal Government Agencies to adhere strictly to extant regulations and directives of the Federal Government on frequency of sittings and non-interference in the administrative routines and management of the agencies.

He warned that any Managing Director that flouts the directives will bear the cost.

He urged the management of the Bank to address the huge housing deficit challenge facing the country.

He also advised them to look reflectively and creatively into the National Housing Policy and the previous attempts at mass housing to address the obstacles to providing mass, affordable and quality housing for the people.

The Chairman of the bank, Dr Adewale Adeeyo who led the delegation to the meeting, had requested for a waiver on the rules for the board.