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Ban On Interstate Movement: FCT Minister Solicits Nigerian Army Support

Published

4 years ago

May 6, 2020

…As Burati Donates PPEs To FCTA

Joel Ajayi

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has appealed for the support of the Nigerian Army in enforcing the ban on interstate travels in and out of the FCT, to ensure that the successes recorded so far in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the FCT are not eroded.

The FCT Minister, who made this appeal in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, who were on a visit to present Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the FCT Administration, said the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was at a very critical stage and required the support of the army to proceed further.

According to Minister, “We have now reached a phase in the fight of the pandemic that is very critical, particularly for us in the FCT. But for us to be able to sustain the efforts, we would like to appeal to the Army High Command to continue to support us, with respect to the lockdown enforcements within the Territory itself, especially at the entry and exit points of the Territory.”

The Minister explained that it was necessary to enforce the ban on interstate travels to ensure that those who are infected within the Territory do not spread the virus if allowed to leave and those infected from outside the FCT do not infect residents if allowed to come in.

Malam Bello on behalf of the FCT Administration also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the Personal Protective Equipment donated to the FCT saying that the PPEs received will go a long way in supporting the frontline medical officers who have been working tirelessly over the last six weeks to fight the pandemic.

He also acknowledged the tremendous cooperation and support that the FCT Administration has been receiving from the Nigerian Army in the areas of enforcement and security related activities.

Earlier while presenting the PPEs on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and the Nigerian Army, the leader of the delegation, Maj. General H.I Bature, Chief of Civil – Army relations, Army Headquarters, Abuja, assured that the Nigerian Army is always willing to support the Administration’s efforts at curbing the threat of COVID-19 in the country.

Maj. General Bature further explained that the donations were part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of the Nigerian Army as well as the continuation of the drive towards strengthening the civil/military relationship in the Federal Capital Territory.

Items donated to the FCTA include personal protective suits, face masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves and buckets.

The delegation was jointly received by the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa as well as other top officials of the FCT Administration.

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Nigeria Will Take Good Shape In No Distant Time- Olawande

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has urged the citizens of the country to be patient with the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in transforming the lives of its citizens through various policies and programs of the federal government.

The Minister made this submission while delivering his speech at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch. This is the first edition since both Ministries of Youth and Sports had been damaged. The JUNC week which was held at Atiku Hall, Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja had its theme: “The working people in a volatile, uncertain, and complex economy”

In the words of the Honourable Minister: “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take good shape and the lives of its citizens will be transformed”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a pauper, he is an acknowledged epitome of wealth, and so it cannot be said of him that he desires to loot the treasury of Nigeria. He has seen money and as a result of this, he is not interested in looting the nation’s treasury”, Olawande explained.

He emphasized that “leadership is all about being committed to serve. If you are a Minister now, tomorrow you will be addressed as a former Minister, likewise a Director because there is no permanent position but the impact that you made while in that office will speak after you”, the Minister reiterated.

Olawande expressed his gratitude to the workers of the Ministry for being supportive of the government policies and programs. He promised that the welfare of the staff would not be compromised, adding that workers deserve remuneration for being hardworking.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya admonished the staff of the Ministry to put in their best as “Performance Management System” which replaces APER is the criteria to be used for promotion effective next year. This, according to him is because the Performance Management System (PMS) records the best efforts and input of each staff which will in turn be used to grade such staff.

Olusanya who disclosed that the welfare of the staff is his priority as workers deserve the best for the services rendered. He opined that “the hungry man is angry and as a worker, if you are not treated fairly and properly, it is impossible to get the best out of you. As a result, all staff will be treated properly as motivation to propel the best in you”, he concluded.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, in her address, informed that the activity to reinvigorate the Civil Service in a bid to ensure that Civil Servants carry out their duties with much diligence to have efficient and incorruptible civil service is currently on course. She advised workers to wake up and be committed to the service of the nation.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jerry Akume, the General Secretary of the Union expressed his delight in celebrating this year’s edition of the Union week, while highlighting the achievements of the union so far. These include:

Upward review of staff welfare, prompt payment of repatriation allowances, payment of first 28 days allowance, assistance to the sick, general training of staff, and sending forth/retirement package for retired staff.

He also appealed to the Management of the Ministry, saying that irrespective of the aforementioned achievements, a lot still needs to be done in such areas as procurement of staff buses, upward review of welfare payment for festive periods, consistent general staff training, and procurement of office and work materials.

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