By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Minister of Defences, 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.
General Musa gave the charge on Monday at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, during a Town Hall meeting with staff, where he stressed the important role of civilian personnel in Nigeria’s national security architecture.
According to a press statement issued by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Musa urged staff to promptly report suspicious activities and maintain awareness of their surroundings and personal movements, encapsulated in the security mantra, “See something, say something.”
The Minister said the maiden Town Hall engagement was designed to promote direct communication between the ministry’s leadership and its workforce, identify operational gaps and provide an avenue for addressing pressing concerns affecting staff.
He commended the personnel for their dedication to duty, while reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of civil servants, whom he described as the engine room of government.
General Musa also underscored the need for stronger civil-military cooperation within the Ministry of Defence, calling for unity, teamwork and mutual respect between civilian employees and members of the Armed Forces.
He disclosed plans to introduce structured engagement programmes aimed at fostering stronger and mutually beneficial working relationships between the ministry’s civilian and military cadres.
In her remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bosede Olaniyi, commended the Minister for initiating the Town Hall meeting, describing it as an important step towards strengthening open communication, discipline and collective responsibility in the implementation of the ministry’s mandate.
Olaniyi noted that effective collaboration among personnel remained essential to the ministry’s responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s national sovereignty and security.
Presenting the concerns of workers, the President of the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence Union, Mr. Dahiru Goronyo, raised issues relating to delays in third-party remittance deductions, transportation difficulties, training opportunities, promotion matters and outstanding entitlement arrears.
The Minister and members of the management team responded to the concerns and assured the workers that steps would be taken towards resolving the issues promptly.
In his closing remarks, the Director of Human Resources, Mr. Idris Gaya, mni, appreciated General Musa for his accessible leadership and clear strategic direction, assuring him of the workforce’s renewed commitment, loyalty and dedication to the administration’s objectives.
The Town Hall meeting was attended by Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, staff across various cadres of the ministry, as well as representatives of the media.
