ABUJA — The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has urged personnel of the Ministry of Defence to remain vigilant, security-conscious and proactive in identifying and mitigating potential safety and security risks.
Musa gave the charge on Monday at a Town Hall meeting with staff of the Ministry at its headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, where he stressed the important role of civilian personnel in Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The Minister urged staff to promptly report suspicious activities and remain alert to their surroundings, adopting the mantra, “See something, say something.” He also advised personnel to maintain situational awareness, particularly regarding their movements.
The maiden Town Hall meeting with the Minister was organised to strengthen direct communication between the ministry’s leadership and its workforce, identify operational gaps and address pressing concerns affecting personnel.
Musa expressed appreciation for the dedication of ministry staff and reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improving the welfare and working conditions of civil servants.
The Minister described civil servants as the “engine room of government,” stressing the importance of their contribution to the effective implementation of government policies and programmes.
He also called for stronger civil-military cooperation within the Ministry of Defence, urging civilian employees and members of the Armed Forces to work together with unity, teamwork and mutual respect.
According to him, plans are underway to introduce structured engagement programmes aimed at fostering stronger working relationships between the ministry’s civilian and military personnel.
In her remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi, commended the Minister for initiating the engagement.
She said the Town Hall meeting would promote open communication, discipline and collective responsibility in the discharge of the ministry’s mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Presenting concerns on behalf of workers, the President of the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence Union, Mr Dahiru Goronyo, highlighted several issues affecting staff welfare.
They included delays in third-party remittance deductions, transportation challenges, training opportunities, promotion-related matters and outstanding entitlement arrears.
The Minister and members of the management team responded to the issues raised and assured the workers that steps would be taken towards their prompt resolution.
Concluding the meeting, the Director of Human Resources, Mr Idris Gaya, mni, thanked the Minister for what he described as his accessible leadership and clear strategic direction.
Gaya pledged the workforce’s renewed loyalty and commitment to supporting the administration’s objectives and the effective delivery of the Ministry of Defence’s mandate.
The Town Hall meeting was attended by Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, personnel across various cadres of the ministry and representatives of the media.
The statement was signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence.
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