OHOS Charges DPFS, Secretaries to Uphold Objectivity in APER Ratings

An appeal has gone to all Directors of Personnel, Staff Officers, and Secretaries in the State Civil Service across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to be objective and diligent in appraising the performance of officers, who are the key drivers of the service.

This charge was delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Office of the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Olufunke Mercy Shittu, during the maiden meeting with the Directors of Personnel, Finance and Supplies (DPFS), Staff Officers, and Secretaries held at the Conference Room, Governor's Office, Ilorin.

Dr Shittu emphasised the need for a fair and objective evaluation process in the completion of the Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) forms. She observed that some senior officers tasked with filling out reports on their subordinates allow appraisees to rate themselves, despite the APER being a confidential document.

According to her, once an officer completes their section of the form and submits it to a superior officer, they should no longer have access to the document. The form, she added, should be sent directly to the Office of the Head of Service for further processing.

She further stressed that APER forms should be completed annually, not left unattended until a promotion year. Dr Shittu also expressed concern over the misuse of study leave by some officers, who use the opportunity to travel abroad and abandon their duties.

She assured attendees that a carrot-and-stick approach would be applied, as hardworking officers would be identified and duly recognised for their diligence and service.

In response, the Directors, Staff Officers, and Secretaries present pledged their commitment to professionalism and promised to work in line with the Permanent Secretary’s charge to move the service forward.

A total of 32 Directors, 35 Staff Officers, and 17 Secretaries attended the sessions, which were held on three different days.

Among the Directors of Personnel, Finance and Supplies in attendance were Mr James Adebisi, Director of Establishment and Training; Mrs Florence Balogun, Director of Administration and Finance; Hajia Humunani Bashir, Director of Staff Matters; and Mr Bamidele Ajeje, Director of Personnel, Finance and Supplies, Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Akanbi Solomon Oladoyin

Press Secretary

Office of the Head of Service