A Former Permanent Secretary in Kwara, Alhaji Shehu Gafar, has advised civil servants in the state to be mindful of their integrity before engaging in corrupt practices.
Gafar gave the advice while receiving the new executive members of Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Kwara Chapter, during a courtesy visit at his residence in Ilorin on Tuesday.
The association newly elected executives in the state, led by Alhaji Ayo Fagbemi, visited some of their veteran colleagues for their support and advice.
Gafar, also the former Secretary to the State Government, said that civil servants were supposed to be apolitical, but many of them are now involved in politics and even making it known.
He explained that the position of permanent secretary is the apex in civil service, which many wished to attain and only few people have the opportunity to reach.
“Some have the ambition of getting to Permanent Secretary position but could not, others were appointed to the seat, while few rejected it in order to stay out of politics.
“The stage of permanent secretary is sacred and once you cannot account for your accumulated wealth, there is need to check your conscience.
“This is because every Kobo that pass through the desk of an official must be accounted for, before he or she is been disgraced and dragged out of office,” he said.
Gafar thereby urged the association to organize seminars, workshops and retreats for members and those in service, in order to train and retrain members on the rules and regulations of government.
He also advised the association to assist members financially, especially those that intend to further their profession and colleagues in distress.
The association also visited some ex-permanent secretaries, including Alhaji Salman Adelodun, Chief Yunusa Oyeyemi, Alhaji Ganiyu Jaiyeola and Chief Joseph Aderibigbe.
Others visited were Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed, Alhaji Mohammed Sha’aba Koro and Alhaji Kareem Saka, who all prayed for the success of the new executive and gave intelligent advices.
They also visited their colleague, the wife of late Alhaji Mutalib Ambali, ex-Grand Khadi of the state, Dr Zainab Ambali.
