The Chairman of the Ebonyi State Civil Service Commission, Lady Virginia Okemini Oketa, has cautioned civil servants against certificate fraud and the improper handling of official documents as the commission commenced the 2026 promotion and conversion interview exercise.
Speaking at the commission’s headquarters in Abakaliki during the exercise, Lady Oketa stressed the need for professionalism, integrity and strict adherence to civil service rules and regulations.
She expressed concern over the poor preservation of personal records by some officers, warning against the alteration, mutilation or falsification of birth certificates and other official documents. According to her, such practices could create inconsistencies in service records and adversely affect career progression.
The commission chairman also advised officers seeking to further their education to obtain prior approval from the Office of the Head of Service before enrolling in any academic programme. She urged them to attend only government-approved and accredited institutions to avoid complications during future promotion and conversion exercises.
Lady Oketa commended the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for approving the 2026 promotion and conversion exercise without any backlog of arrears, describing the decision as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and career development.
She further appealed to officers who were unable to attend their scheduled interviews to take advantage of the mop-up exercise, assuring them of another opportunity to participate in the process.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Promotion Committee and Member Three of the Civil Service Commission, Hon. Pastor Vincent Awoke, expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the exercise. He disclosed that the interviews would continue until July 17, 2026, in line with the commission’s approved timetable.
Some participants, including 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 lauded the commission for improving its working environment, particularly through the provision of a motorised borehole to enhance water supply within the commission’s 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-based and efficient civil service in Ebonyi State.
