PRESS RELEASE: STOP EMBARRASSING GOVERNMENT: PSH WARNS PUBLIC SERVANTS
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare, Daju Kachollum S. mni has expressed concern at the manner in
which official Government information and Documents are leaked to the general
public and social media platforms.
The Permanent Secretary, made the remark at a one day
sensitization lecture organized by the Ministry in conjunction with the Office
of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for staff of the Ministry
working under the offices of the Honourable Coordinating Minister and
Honourable Minister of State respectively held recently at the Auditorium of
Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.
Represented by her Special Assistant, Mrs. Jummai Abdullahi,
the Permanent Secretary said that the aim of the sensitization lecture and the
Oath of Secrecy/Declaration is to bring awareness, promote and uphold the
culture of confidentiality in holding Government information and documents.
Cross-section of participants being administered the
Oath of Secrecy during the in-house sensitization lecture in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that leaking official
information and Government documents constitute great embarrassment to the
government, warning that any unauthorized disclosure of official information
and documents would attract full sanctions in accordance with the extant rules
and regulations.
" After the lecture and the Oath taking, you would now
be under obligation to maintain confidentiality in the handling of all official
information and documents " she reiterated.
The Permanent Secretary urged the participants to pay
serious attention to the lecture as it has been worked out to equip them in
discharging their responsibilities.
In his speech, the Director, Human Resource Management,
Department, Hassan Sallau, disclosed that the training was informed to
re-enlighten the staff on the dangers of disclosing unauthorized Government
information and Documents as the act causes serious embarrassment to the
government, describing it as gross misconduct which leads to dismissal as
prescribed in the public service rules.
He further stated that the idea is to avoid being ignorant
of the law, hence the need for the staff to have the knowledge and take the
Oath so that to avoid any complain whenever an officer disobeys or breaks the
oath taken, hoping that that such should not happen to anyone.
Hassan expressed delight on the presentation and hoped that
the knowledge will be applied in conducting official duties as henceforth,
unauthorized disclosure of official information and Government documents will
not be accepted and officers will be punished accordingly.
The participants signed the
Oath of Secrecy and Declaration after been administered by the legal officer, Legal Department of the ministry.
Deworitshe Patricia
Director (Press)
10th May, 2024
