FG bars civil servants from accepting chieftaincy titles

If you are a civil servant, you cannot take chieftaincy titles and 'other sundry awards'  until after their retirement or disengagement from service, according to a new directive of the Federal Government.

In a circular sent to all ministries, departments and agencies of government, the  Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Aji,  directed however that where the traditional titles were mandatory by inheritance, 'due clearance must be obtained from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The new directive is contained in a  statement in Abuja by the Director of Communications in the Office of the HOS, Mr. Tope Ajakaiye.

It reads,  'It has come to the notice of government that some civil servants are in the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and sundry awards, an act, which is inimical to the principles of anonymity, integrity and political neutrality, which are the core values of the civil service.

'Federal civil servants have been banned from accepting chieftaincy titles and other sundry awards until after their retirement or disengagement from the civil service.

'The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, however, directed that where a civil servant must hold a traditional title bestowed on him or her by inheritance or receive any awards, due clearance must be obtained from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.'

The HOS had said recently  that, henceforth, any civil servant who engaged in private practice to the detriment of government's job, except farming, would be deemed to have committed misconduct under the Public Service Rules.

The government specifically had called on civil servants to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, which forbids public officers from engaging in private practice.