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The Chairman of the Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission, Lady Virginia Okemini Oketa, has declared zero tolerance for certificate fraud and the alteration of official records as the state commenced its 2026 promotion and conversion interview exercise.
Addressing civil servants participating in the exercise at the Commission's headquarters in Abakaliki, Lady Oketa said the promotion exercise would be conducted in line with established civil service rules, stressing that professionalism, integrity and merit would remain the guiding principles throughout the process.
She cautioned officers against certificate fraud, falsification and the mutilation of official documents, particularly birth certificates and other personal records, warning that such practices could create inconsistencies in service records, jeopardise career progression and attract disciplinary sanctions.
The commission chairman also advised civil servants intending to pursue further education to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Head of Service before enrolling in any academic programme.
According to her, officers should ensure they attend only government-approved and accredited institutions to avoid complications during future promotion and conversion exercises.
Lady Oketa commended Governor Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for approving the 2026 promotion and conversion exercise without any backlog of arrears, describing the gesture as a clear demonstration of the administration's commitment to workers' welfare, career advancement and a productive civil service.
She further appealed to officers who missed their scheduled interviews to take advantage of the mop-up exercise, assuring them that the Commission had created another opportunity to ensure that no eligible officer was unfairly excluded from the exercise.
Earlier, Chairman of the Promotion Committee and Member Three of the Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Pastor Vincent Awoke, expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the interviews. He disclosed that the exercise would continue until July 17, 2026, in accordance with the Commission's approved timetable.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Mrs. Nnenna Uroh of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Emeka Monday Igwe of the Civil Service Commission and Elder Ekuma Okorie Michael from the Office of the Head of Service commended Lady Oketa and members of the Commission for conducting the exercise with transparency, professionalism and fairness.
They also applauded the Commission for improving the working environment at its headquarters, citing the provision of a motorised borehole to enhance water supply within the premises.
Lady Oketa assured participants that the results of the promotion and conversion exercise would be released immediately after the conclusion of the interviews, reaffirming the Commission's commitment to building a transparent, merit-driven and efficient civil service in Ebonyi State.
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