RE: Head of Service Frustrating Government Good Intentions for Development of Education in Kogi State »

The Head of Kogi State Civil Service notes with grave concern the remarks by Kogi State ASUSS Chairman Comrade Ranti Ojo Matthew while presenting an address during a special SCWC meeting to Mark the 2022 World Teachers day celebration in lokoja as published by Daily post and other Media Houses.

Comrade Ranti Ojo asserted that the Kogi State Head of Civil Service Mrs Hannah.O. Odiyo is frustrating the good intentions of Government for Teachers by not implementing the elongation of Teachers Service years to 65 years of age or 40 years of service as approved by H.E.the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

Above assertion by the Chairman is a gross ignorance on the part of the Chairman of ASUSS on the Processes and Procedures of domesticating Federal Laws/Policies in a state.

In the interest of all and for purpose of clarity, the facts of this matter Are as follows:

(A) It is required that any Policy or Law made by Federal Government which is to be adopted by a state must be domesticated by that State before implementation. His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello graciously Granted the approval for domestication of this Law in the state thus, giving us the responsibility to complete the process and procedures for its implementation.

(B) It should be noted that the Head of Civil Service cannot automatically issue out Circular on it, the Ministries of Education and Justice must work together to raise a Draft Bill to the State Executive Council for approval and onward transmission to the State House of Assembly for deliberation and passage into Law. Once the House of Assembly enacts it into Law, implemention commences via a circular from office of the Head of Civil Service.

(C) In line with this, the Head of Civil Service wrote to the Ministry of Education with the directive to liase with Ministry of Justice in order to produce a comprehensive Draft bill within the shortest possible time. Both Ministries are currently working on this. In as much as we will try to expedite action on it, it should be noted that the process cannot be concluded overnight.

The Head of Civil
service is making sure that, in the interest of teachers and posterity, a solid foundation is laid for this Law by giving it Legislative backing. She is equally desirous of its fast implemention in view of the important position Teachers hold in the society.

She is interested in the welfare of all civil servants including Teachers and would do everything possible to ensure beneficial working conditions for them always.

There has been a harmonious industrial relationship between the office of the Head of Civil service and all trade unions. For instance, the NUT, Kogi State Chapter attested to this during their courtesy visit to the Head of Civil Service on Teachers welfare. To deliberately misconstrue the position of the Head of Civil Service and misrepresent her is unnecessary. The good relationship can be maintained through better interactions, asking questions for clarity on issues when required.

Thank you for your understanding.

ABUBAKAR UMAR ADEJO
PRO
FOR HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE.