By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has charged personnel of the Ministry of Defence to remain vigilant and security-conscious while taking proactive measures to identify and mitigate potential security and safety risks.
Musa gave the charge on Monday at the maiden Town Hall meeting with staff of the Ministry at its headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
The Minister stressed that civilian personnel of the Ministry have an important role to play in Nigeria’s national security architecture, noting that the responsibility of protecting the nation extends beyond members of the Armed Forces.
He urged staff to maintain a high level of situational awareness, particularly concerning their movements and activities, and promptly report suspicious persons, activities or developments to the appropriate authorities.
According to him, the principle of “See something, say something” should guide the conduct of personnel as part of efforts to strengthen security consciousness within and around the Ministry.
Musa said the Town Hall meeting was designed to establish direct and regular communication between the Ministry’s leadership and its workforce, enabling management to better understand operational challenges and address issues affecting personnel.
He expressed appreciation to the staff for their commitment and dedication to duty, assuring them that the Federal Government remained committed to improving the welfare and working conditions of civil servants.
The Minister, who described civil servants as the “engine room of government,” reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the effective functioning of government institutions.
He also underscored the importance of closer cooperation between civilian employees and members of the Armed Forces, stressing that effective delivery of the Ministry’s mandate requires unity, teamwork and mutual respect across the different cadres.
Musa said the Ministry would introduce structured engagement programmes aimed at strengthening collaboration between its civilian and military personnel.
He explained that enhanced civil-military synergy would promote better understanding, improve institutional effectiveness and create a more harmonious working environment for personnel to contribute meaningfully to national defence and security.
The Minister said the proposed engagements would also provide opportunities for personnel to share ideas, identify gaps and collectively develop solutions to challenges affecting the Ministry.
Earlier, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi, commended the Minister for initiating the Town Hall meeting.
Olaniyi said the engagement demonstrated the importance attached to open communication between management and staff, adding that it would strengthen discipline, accountability and collective responsibility in the discharge of the Ministry’s mandate.
She noted that the Ministry’s responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty required the commitment and cooperation of every member of staff, irrespective of cadre or position.
Presenting the concerns of workers, the President of the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence Union, Mr Dahiru Goronyo, raised a number of issues affecting the welfare and productivity of personnel.
Among the concerns highlighted were delays in the remittance of third-party deductions, transportation difficulties, limited training opportunities, promotion-related matters and outstanding entitlement arrears.
Goronyo urged the Ministry’s management to address the issues to improve staff morale and enhance productivity.
Responding to the concerns, the Minister and members of the management team assured the workers that the issues raised would receive prompt attention and appropriate resolution.
The engagement therefore provided an avenue for direct interaction between the Ministry’s leadership and its workforce, with management receiving first-hand information on challenges confronting personnel.
In his closing remarks, the Director of Human Resources, Mr Idris Gaya, mni, expressed appreciation to the Minister for his accessible leadership and willingness to engage directly with members of staff.
Gaya pledged the continued loyalty, commitment and dedication of the workforce to the Ministry’s mandate and the broader objectives of the Tinubu administration.
The Town Hall meeting was attended by directors, heads of departments and units, staff across various cadres of the Ministry and representatives of the media.
The Ministry said the engagement marked an important step towards strengthening internal communication, improving staff welfare and deepening cooperation between civilian and military personnel in support of Nigeria’s national defence and security objectives.
