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Dep. Speaker hails organizers of Nigeria Cultural Festival and Business Forum (NICFEB).. calls for government involvement
Joel Ajayi
The Right Honourable Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representative has admonished the Nigeria Federal government to leverage on the benefit that accrue in the yearly event of the Nigeria Cultural Festival and Business Forum (NICFEB).
He stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2024 edition of the event which took place in Rome recently. The event which aims and objective is to give opportunity for Nigerian and their European counterparts to showcase their investment potentials, rich cultural heritage in arts & craft, music, fashion, foods and tourism attracted dignitaries from Nigeria and the Italian communities
The Deputy Speaker who was the special guest of honour at the event was represented by Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, MHR representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra State. And speaking further on the benefit of the event he said,
“This event is basically an enthronement of culture, trade, partnership yearning between Nigeria and Italy. It’s an event that we have the opportunity to hear the wonderful things that can be attained in our dear country, in our dear nation, Nigeria and as well as to see avenue whereby we can bolster partnership, bolster relationship, not just growing on the business area, but also growing on cultural heritage. Growing on area that both countries can benefit towards the greater future.
“I commend the organizers of this event. From what I have heard it’s been a long journey to make sure that the event takes place. And you can see that the turnout was moderate. But I know that in the second edition the attendance will be a lot more. Because from here we are going to go back to Nigeria and inform the people of such wonderful, boisterous whereby we can be able to both nations and have our people and the Italian people both in business environment, both in the cultural environment, both in different industries as well, and also in the legislative because as we saw here, we saw members of parliament of Italy that came to witness the event and also gave their relevant speeches.
“So, we are going to go back to Nigeria with this information and prepare a detail report whereby we can submit to the floor and then urge Nigerians and also urge the government of Nigeria to take note of making sure that this event is expressed in a larger audience and this even can be able to be highlighted more because it holds a great significance for the growth of both Nations.
Speaking also at the event, Amb. Engr. Augustine Chigbolu who is the Chairman Central Organizing Committee harped on the need for the Nigerian and Italian governments to do everything possible to restore direct flights between Nigeria and Italy. He also threw more light on the purpose for putting together the event.
“The consortium was formed with the primary role of creating a new platform for investment drive and cultural exchange as well as for inter-personal relationship, propagation off socio-economic and political development of our nations (Nigeria and Italy).
“This edition accommodated and featured critical sectors such as Agriculture, Energy, Oil & Gas, Aviation, Trading, and Exhibition. In the coming years, we hope to introduce new strategies that will improve on the international standards and pattern of this present edition,” he concluded.
The 2024 edition was put together by the National Union of Nigerians in Italy, (NUNAI), Nigeria- Italy chambers of commerce, Giant Gee Nigeria limited, with the Support of Amb. Engr. Augustine Chigbolu and Senator Tony Iwobi.
News
Corps Marshal Charges Staff on Productivity, Recommit To Workers Welfare Programs
Joel Ajayi
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed has charged staff to sustain the tempo of last year’s productivity with a view to improving the service delivery goals of the Corps in 2025, saying staff capacity development, welfare and regular promotion exercise will remain the cornerstones of his Management agenda.
The Corps Marshal stated this during the maiden 2025 Corps Marshal’s parade organized at the FRSC National Headquarters Abuja on Monday, 3rd February, 2025.
While reviewing the Corps’ 2024 activities, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed gave kudos to the Management staff, Commanding Officers, Heads of Unit and generality of staff for the sacrifices, initiatives and commitment they demonstrated in making the success achieved in the last year’s activities, especially in the end of year special patrol which possible.
“With your resilience and tenacity, we were able to contain the traffic management challenges and created safer road environment for all travellers during the Christmas and new year celebrations,” he stated.
The Corps Marshal commiserated with the families of the deceased staff who lost their lives in active service, praying for the peaceful repose of their souls. He however stressed the need for staff to take their health seriously by participating in regular fitness exercises and visit hospitals for regular checkups to avoid major health challenges.
On the need for increased productivity, the Corps Marshal charged staff not to rest on their oars in raising the bar of productivity attained last year, assuring that staff who display excellence in their given assignments would be duly rewarded while those that are found to be indolent or unproductive would not go unpunished.
“You must be prepared to respond appropriately to instructions, show excellence in your work and avoid acts of indiscipline including rumour mongering, indolence and any acts capable of dragging the image of the Corps to the muds,” the Corps Marshal stated.
On the 37th anniversary celebration of the FRSC which comes up on 18 February this year, the Corps Marshal congratulated the staff for holding tenaciously onto the values of the Corps as envisioned by the founding fathers, noting that despite the challenges, the organization has remained on track in its commitment to serving humanity over the years.
He vowed to sustain the values of service delivery under his leadership and called on all staff to join in the campaign to make FRSC a leading example of a high performance organization not only in Nigeria but globally.
On staff welfare, the Corps Marshal disclosed that as part of his commitment to creating conducive working and living environments for the staff, the FRSC Staff Cooperative Scheme and the FRSC Housing Cooperative are being strengthened to make them more responsive to the needs of the staff. To this end, he disclosed that arrangement is being made with some reputable House developers to make affordable houses available to the staff while efforts have been completed for the FRSC to operate its own Healthcare Management Organization (HMO).
This, he said will make it possible for the Corps to provide more qualitative healthcare to staff and their families for improved health conditions for all staff.
On the technological innovations of the FRSC, the Corps Marshal stressed the need for staff to download the FRSC Mobile app launched last year to enable them have proper understanding of the Corps’ technical advancement in addressing the traffic management challenges of the country and for them to have information that could assist them to educate members of the public.
Speaking on promotion exercise, the Corps Marshal disclosed that promotion exercises for this year will commence very soon to fill vacant positions starting from those of the Deputy Corps Marshals (DCMs) while others will follow accordingly to make sure that there’s no backlog in promotion matters.
The Corps Marshal further enjoined staff to embrace the digitization policy of the Corps by learning to become more computer literate, saying very soon, the process will be completed and use of papers may become obsolete in most administrative and operational activities of the Corps as every office will be provided with computers to work with.
On the ongoing amendment of the FRSC Establishment Act 2007, the Corps Marshal disclosed that public hearing towards the amendment of the Act was organized by the House of Representatives ast year and enjoined all staff to brace up for greater responsibilities in the expected amendments to justify the efforts.
The Corps Marshal encouraged staff with good ideas to always pass such ideas through their superior officers in line with the channels of communication, saying everyone’s idea is important in moving the Corps to greater heights.
While recommitting to the ideals of the FRSC as envisioned by the founding fathers, the Corps Marshal assured that all necessary steps would be taken to give the staff sense of responsibility and pride, saying no one will be denied of his or her entitlement including proper recognition for any achievement made by the staff in the course of carrying out the official assignment.
The parade address which took place after the Corps Marshal inspected the Quarter Guard and carried out general inspections of the main parade consisting the officers and Marshals of the National Headquarters ended with Three Hearty Cheers to the Corps Marshal.
Staff who spoke shortly after the parade address expressed optimism that this year will be more productive, rewarding and glorious for all the staff. They also wished the Corps Marshal well in his determination to quickly bring positive changes to the FRSC.
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