By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has called on personnel of the Ministry of Defence to remain vigilant, security-conscious and proactive in mitigating safety risks, stressing that civilian workers have a critical role to play in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Speaking during a Town Hall meeting with staff at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, on Monday, the minister urged employees to promptly report suspicious activities and adopt the security mantra, “See something, say something.” He also encouraged staff to maintain situational awareness in their daily activities and movements.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the meeting was the first direct engagement between the minister and ministry personnel, aimed at strengthening communication, identifying operational gaps and addressing workforce concerns.
General Musa commended staff for their dedication and service, reiterating the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improving the welfare and working conditions of civil servants. He described civil servants as the engine room of government and essential partners in achieving national objectives.
The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between civilian employees and members of the Armed Forces, calling for greater unity, teamwork and mutual respect. He disclosed plans to introduce structured engagement programmes designed to foster stronger working relationships between civilian and military personnel within the ministry.
In her remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bosede Olaniyi, praised the initiative, noting that it would enhance communication, discipline and collective responsibility in the discharge of the ministry’s mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Speaking on behalf of staff, the President of the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence Union, Mr. Dahiru Goronyo, raised concerns relating to personnel welfare, including delays in third-party remittance deductions, transportation challenges, training opportunities, promotion matters and outstanding entitlement arrears.
Responding to the issues, the minister and members of the management team assured staff that the concerns would receive prompt attention and appropriate action.
The Director of Human Resources, Mr. Idris Gaya, mni, thanked the minister for his accessible leadership style and strategic direction, pledging the continued loyalty and commitment of the ministry’s workforce to the administration’s goals.
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.
