By Emeka Okafor
Fourty-two members of staff who handle classified documents in the office of President Muhammadu Buhari were on Tuesday compelled to swear to Oath of Secrecy and Declaration of Secrecy.
The oath which was administered by Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court, is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.
Although civil servants are by their training expected not to divulge official information without authorisation, but the latest move is apparently to keep happenings in the presidency under a veil of secrecy.
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar warned staff that disclosing confidential information without authorisation will attract penalties under the public service rules.
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‘‘We discovered that due to deployment of officers and retirement a number of our staff need to be placed under the radar so that they will be aware that their jobs, the kind of documents or information they are handling from day to day and beyond, are so important and must be safeguarded.
‘‘That’s the reason we decided to do the needful by administering the Oath of Secrecy, highlighting the importance of letting them know what information they are managing and the consequences of the breach of such information,’’ he said.
The Permanent Secretary, who disclosed that the exercise will be continuous, expressed delight that so far the State House has not recorded any breach of information.
‘‘We have not had any breach. We don’t anticipate having any breach.
‘‘But then it’s our duty to let them understand that if there is any, there will be consequences after investigations and that also includes after they have retired from the Civil Service,’’ he said.
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The Director of Special Services Department, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Tukur Yahaya, had earlier before the administration of the Oaths, took the staff through sensitization, explaining the essence of the Official Secrets Act, 1962.
‘‘The essence of this exercise is to ensure the safety and security of government information, documents and facilities,’’ he added.
