BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Anambra State Government has issued a stern warning to civil servants found to have forged their certificates, directing them to retire immediately or face dismissal without benefits.
This comes as the State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) is embroiled in a certificate scandal involving its Chairman.
The State government has vowed to take decisive action against anyone found to have falsified their qualifications, emphasizing its commitment to integrity and transparency in the public service.
This was contained in a letter dated April 26,2024 referenced ANSG/LGSC/S/436/80 signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Nwattah S. I. Esq for the Chairman.
According to the memo obtained by our correspondent, those to be affected are from Grade Levels 02- 14.
As a consequence, the Commission said it would carry out certificate verification exercise for workers of the Commission any time soon with the sole purpose of fishing out those with fake certificates.
Our correspondent learned that a labour Chief (name withheld) of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) who allegedly forged the degree certificate of the Abia State University of the Faculty of Environmental Science is currently in trouble over the development.
According to our investigation, the Abia State University had disowned the labour chief’s degree certificate in a letter by the Registrar of the institution, sequel to an enquiry.
Some months back, thr Commission had sacked six deputy directors for possessing fake certificates.
The Chairman of the Commission had then said the affected Deputy Directors claimed to have graduated from Imo State University, adding that the commission’s investigators were expecting more responses from other universities across Nigeria.
The recent memo from the Commission read in part. ”Following the incessant use of fake certificates in the system, the Local Government Service Commission is about to commence the verication of academic certificate of officers on grade level 02 -14.
“Consequent on the above, I am directed to convey the decision of the Board to allow those operating with fake certificates to voluntarily retire form service within three (3) weeks of this notice.
“Be further informed that after the grace period, appropriate sanctions including dismissal without benefits would be applied to any staff involved.
“The Heads of Local Government Administration and Heads of Personnel Mangement are hereby directed to paste this information on the Councils Notice Board for wider publicity and compliance.”
Our correspondent assures our reading public that the identities of the certificate fakers, especially that of the Labour Chief, who is currently serving a second term in office, will be unmasked after diligent investigation.
