FGN reverses suspension of Mary Eta as DG, NWDC

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) on Friday reversed the suspension of the Director-General, National Women Development Centre (NWDC), Mrs. Mary Eta.

The FG said the suspension carried out by the centre’s recently inaugurated Governing Board was illegal.

This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adekunle.

Adekunle directed Eta to resume her duties immediately at the centre.

The statement reads, “The Federal Government has noted with concern the development at the National Women Development Centre, especially the purported suspension of the Director-General, Mrs. Mary Ikpere Eta by the Governing Board, which was inaugurated very recently.

“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, the 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.

“The government believes in due process, and will not tolerate any arbitrary action taken by any board of any Federal Government agency.”