By Seun Adams
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, got a surprised parting gift from staff of the Ministry yesterday, Wednesday 5, 2023 at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The Minister was on ground to declare open activities lined up for marking this year’s Ministry of Interior Joint Staff Labour Union, exclaimed that it was indeed an unexpected award.
The merit award, EXTRAORDINAIRE learnt was deserving was purportedly meant to appreciate and recognize the sterling achievements and outstanding concern for workers welfare by the Minister.
Responding, Aregbesola, said he was pleasantly surprised by the recognition and honour done to him.
He equally commended the organizers for rightly showing equal recognition to the Deputy Director Joint Services, Mrs. Nkem Ezeodom, who in less than 2 years she spent with the Ministry, made her impacts felt through outstanding performance, diligence to duty and resourcefulness; as a result of which she won the much coveted Head of Service Award last year.
The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Union for the honour and equally assured them that because of the great value he attached to the recognition, the award will for long occupy a conspicuous place in his library.
The Minister revealed that the Joint Union Chairman while inviting him to perform today’s function, has thought it as probably his last social function before officially exiting as minister of Interior.
He however informed them that he too had it in mind, to organise another social function, as a mark of his appreciation for the good cooperation he has received from staff of the Ministry before finally bowing out.
Aregbesola, thereafter admonished the Staff to continue to be hardworking, loyal, resourceful, devoted and dedicated to their duties.
Earlier in his remark, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, commended the leadership style of the Minister as well as the appreciative mind of the Ministry’s Staff for giving honour to whom honour is due.
He on behalf of the Ministry promised to do more for workers in area of staff welfare to boost their morale and enhance their productivity; even as he announced that a package for Ramadan and Easter festivities is right under way.
To the Minister he has this to say. “Sir, you have done well for the staff; I will like to assure you that your staff are hard working and productive.
This is due to your unwavering commitment to their empowerment which resulted in additional mandates, which enabled the Ministry to render useful service to the nation especially during conduct of last national elections.”
Belgore, stated for record purposes, that under the watch of the Minister, there is no category of staff that has not enjoyed training benefits at least twice.
He also recalled that it is during the tenure of the Minister that the Performance Management System (PMS) replaces APER as staff valuation and promotion model in the ministry.
Apart from the Minister and Permanent Secretary, this year’s Joint Union Labour Week of the Ministry of Interior was attended by all Directors and other top Management Staff.
Signed: Afonja Fatai Ajibola
DD(Press&PR).
