By Miriam Humbe
The federal government has directed that areas around the Eagle Square which include the Federal Secretariat phases I, II and III and Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja would be cordoned off from Friday, May 26, 2023 afternoon at 2pm to Tuesday, May 30, 2023, when work would fully resume.
Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe said this on Friday in a circular signed on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, (HoCSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan.
The federal government said the action was meant to secure the Eagle Square, venue of the Inauguration and swearing in of the President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It would also mark the hand-over ceremony from the Muhammadu Buhari administration which was elected in 2015 and 2019 respectively to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima Mustapha who were elected in the February 25, 2023 general elections as President and Vice President elect.
Also in the circular, the HoCSF copied heads of government agencies and parastatals with the appeal to bring the contents of the circular to the attention of all concerned.
These included: Chief of Staff to the President, Commander -in-Chief, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President and Ministers/Ministers of State.
Others were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Clerk of the National Assembly, Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Permanent Secretaries,
National Security Adviser, and Special Advisers /Senior Special Assistant.
The circular also addressed the Service Chiefs, lnspector-General-of Police, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Chairman, Police Service Commission and Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau amongst others.
Here’s a full text of the circular:
“As you may be aware, the Presidential Transition Council (PTC) has unveiled the activities marking the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
“The Inauguration Parade and Swearing-in of President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is the climax of the Programme will take place on Monday, 29th May 2023 at the Eagle Square, Central Business District, Abuja.
“In line with the security arrangements for the event, the Federal Secretariat Complexes Phases l, Il, Ill and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be cordoned off by security operatives from 2.00pm on Friday, 26th May 2023 to Monday, 29th May, 2023.
“Accordingly, officers and intending visitors to the affected areas will not be allowed access till Tuesday, 30th May, 2023, when work will resume in earnest.”
