Olusanya Assumes Duty as Permanent Secretary, Calls for Stronger Collaboration in Humanitarian Sector

Emmanuel Daudu

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, has officially assumed duty, urging strengthened collaboration among government agencies, development partners, donors and other stakeholders to improve support for vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Olusanya stressed that collective action is essential to achieving meaningful impact, noting that the Ministry “cannot work in silos” if it must effectively address the needs of the elderly, persons with disabilities, distressed families, refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

“All the programmes, policies and interventions we implement affect lives directly,” he said. “When we perform, the whole country feels the impact; and when we do not, Nigerians will equally feel it.”

Olusanya pledged to build on the legacies of his predecessor by prioritising staff development, professional growth and welfare, adding that an empowered workforce is critical to delivering on the ministry’s mandate.

The outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, praised the competence and experience of the ministry’s staff, describing them as experts in administration, humanitarian affairs, social development, nutrition and poverty reduction.

He appealed to the management and staff to extend the same cooperation he received to his successor.

Director of Human Resource Management, Onyia-Desy Chinyere Hilda, in her vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to Dr. Kofarmata for his leadership style and contributions to improving the lives of vulnerable citizens. She assured the new Permanent Secretary of the unwavering support and cooperation of staff.

The event featured the formal signing of handing-over documents between the two senior officials.

Olusanya was deployed from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, while Dr. Kofarmata moves to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Directors and staff from both the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the Ministry of Youth Development were in attendance.