VC UNIMAID COMMENDS ASUU FOR COMMITMENT TO MEMBERS WELFARE

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Mele, has commended the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for its commitment to the welfare of members in the unimaid community.

He made the commendation based on the myriads of self help projects such as the renovation of the ASUU secretariat and the construction of the perimeter fence around the Secretariat.

The VC represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Professor Mohammed Waziri congratulated ASUU on its achievements and urged other unions to emulate their efforts aimed at cushioning the welfare of their members, when the National President of ASUU, Professor Christopher Piwuna, paid a courtesy visit to the University recently.

During the visit, Professor Piwuna lauded the University of Maiduguri ASUU Branch Chairperson, Dr. Abubakar Saidu Mshelia, for his remarkable commitment to members’ welfare. He emphasized the importance of collective action in achieving the goals of Academic Staff across Nigerian Universities, describing the University’s branch as a model of effective leadership and member engagement.

Welcoming the ASUU President, to the Ivy Tower, Dr. Abubakar Saidu expressed gratitude to the National President for the visit despite his busy schedule and for the support given them since assuming office.

He therefore reaffirmed the branch’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and health of members, advocating for improved working conditions, better health benefits, and overall staff well-being.

The highlight of the event was the commissioning of the Secretariat’s perimeter wall and the formal dedication of its renovation.

VC UNIMAID COMMENDS ASUU FOR COMMITMENT TO MEMBERS WELFARE

Tunji-Ojo Says Over 52,000 Officers of NIS, NCoS, FFS, NSCDC Promoted in Two Years

… Promises Continued Consistent Promotion

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said as part of the ongoing efforts of the current administration at combating insecurity in the country, President Bola Tinubu ensured that agelong career stagnation of officers in the nation’s paramilitary services was stopped.

Speaking at the decoration of newly appointed Deputy Comptroller/Controller/Commandant General of the four Paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Fire Service (FFS), the minister said the decorated officers were direct beneficiaries of the reforms put in place to prioritise merit, welfare and rapid promotions.

Tunji-Ojo who said since the coming into office of President Tinubu over two years ago over 52,000 officers have been promoted across all paramilitary services, noting that the elevation of the new DCGs was more than a promotion, but a presidential appointment anchored on merit, competence and transparent processes.

He told the newly decorated officers that: “Your appointment came as a result of presidential approval. It is not just promotion but appointment.

“None of you is here on courtesy, whether you deserve it or not. If you are good enough to be DCG, then you are good enough to be CG.”

The minister while noting that the officers’ examinations were independently conducted and marked by the National Army Resource Centre, and later ratified by the board, stressed that federal character was however applied to ensure inclusiveness across all geopolitical zones, but that seniority and merit remained the sole basis of the appointments.

He commended the President for reforms that have restored dignity to the services, saying that stagnation had long deprived competent officers of deserved career progression.

He said: “Many officers retired without attaining positions they merited, not because they lacked competence but because promotions were irregular. Today, this administration has promoted over 52,000 officers in just two years,”he said.

He recalled that vacancies for DCGs had in the past remained unfilled for 10 to 12 months, but said that the Tinubu administration had broken the jinx by consistently filling such positions.

Tunji-Ojo said more than 80 per cent of those decorated as DCGs were promoted to ACG under the current government.

He further listed welfare interventions, including increased salaries, peculiar allowances, eradication of career stagnation, and approval of life pensions for retired DCGs and CGs.

“This government has shown more support than any other in the history of the country. It believes that to whom much is given, much is expected,”he said.

The minister charged the officers to give their best to the nation, noting that Nigeria deserved their loyalty, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

He further charged all the paramilitary officers to be up and doing as appreciation to their improved welfare.

He said: “To the Immigration Service, you must secure borders and strengthen border governance. To the Correctional Service, transform centres from mere incarceration facilities into hubs of rehabilitation and restoration of hope,”he said.

“Fire service should go beyond fire response by establishing itself as a leading rescue agency, NSCDC need to protect every inch of Nigeria’s critical assets by its mandate.

“The time to rise to your responsibility is not tomorrow. It began yesterday. Let us be catalysts of change and show that government did not make a mistake in entrusting us with these mandates,”he said.

The minister also recalled that during the last set of examinations, a female officer missed promotion by just 0.25 marks, underscoring the rigour and fairness of the process.

He said he is however overjoy that she was among those celebrated this time while urging the new DCGs to cooperate with their CGs, show discipline, and resist lobbying.

“The higher you go, the more disciplined you need to be. You are now role models. Let your actions speak louder than words. Leave legacies for those coming behind you,” he advised.

The minister assured that the ministry would continue to innovate in line with global best practices, and encouraged the DCGs to contribute fresh ideas.

He said, “we do not have a monopoly of knowledge. We want to listen, collaborate and work with you. Great leaders are those who leave greater legacies.

Citing ongoing reforms, he highlighted the passport revolution and centralised processing in immigration, infrastructure at the Federal Fire Academy.

This, he said included innovations in correctional centres such as the Kuje Abuja facility now operating beyond hospital standards, and the NSCDC’s work in critical asset protection.

He emphasised that the ministry was giving its best and expected the same from officers to build paramilitary services that could compete globally.

“Show loyalty to Nigeria above anything else. Let the love of this country extinguish any flame of disloyalty. Be mentors, be role models, be catalysts of change,” he charged.

Tunji-Ojo Says Over 52,000 Officers of NIS, NCoS, FFS, NSCDC Promoted in Two Years

Zulum Directs 27 LGA Chairmen to Scale Up Immunisation Campaign

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed chairmen of all the 27 Local Government Areas to scale up awareness campaign on Routine Immunisation, In-Between Rounds and Integrated Measles campaign.

He also requested the traditional rulers to continue to sensitize their subjects on the importance of immunisation particularly on polio and other preventable diseases.

The governor gave the directive on Thursday during a strategic meeting and update on Primary Healthcare activities with traditional rulers under the leadership of Shehu of Borno, Chairman Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and development partners at the Government House, Maiduguri.

“I hereby direct all the local government chairmen to step up campaign on Routine Immunisation, In-Between Rounds and other campaigns, must be carried out across the state. Let me also emphasise that attending evening review meetings is compulsory for all LGA Chairmen,” Zulum stated.

Governor Zulum expressed commitment of his administration to partner with relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring effective delivery of Routine Immunisation and other services to be rendered by the Primary Healthcare Centers across the state.

“We are aware that the tripartite agreement between Aliko Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Foundation and the state has ended in December 2024. However, I want to assure you that Borno State government will ensure sustainability of all the activities to be carried out,” he assured.

“All our counterpart funding have been paid, we are upto date. I want to assure you that we will provide all the needed support and political will to ensure effective and efficient healthcare delivery system to the people.

The governor also assured that adequate security would be provided to ensure Immunisation coverage in hard-to-reach-areas”. Borno state government will provide adequate security in order for those in difficult-to-reach areas to have access to the Immunisation”.

On the provision of minimum standard package for effective healthcare delivery system, Governor Babagana Zulum remarked that the state has recorded milestone with the sponsorship of 1,400 indigent students to study nursing and midwifery, announcing that 500 would graduate by end of the year.

Executive Secretary State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji briefed the governor and the traditional rulers with regards to the ongoing Immunisation programme and the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund.

According to him, the objective of the initiative is to accelerate the Seattle Declaration made by Governors in 2019, a political commitment to improve PHC services by promoting accountability, drive measurable improvement in health performance and outcome.

Prof. Alhaji called for improved security especially in hard-to-reach-communities, intensify support of resolution of non-compliance of Polio and other Immunizations by traditional leaders, strengthen Evening Review Meetings by LGA Chairmen and to institute appropriate measures to stop misuse of Ready To Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).

“I want to appreciate His Excellency for the prompt payment of counterpart funds, provision of drugs and other consumables at the PHCs, absorption of 859 health workforce, infrastructure among others,” Arab said.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur, who is also the Chairman State Taskforce on Immunisation and other Primary Healthcare activities; Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; Shehu of Dikwa and Bama; Emirs of Biu, Askira Uba, Gwoza, Shani and Uba; Secretary to the State Government and Acting Chief of Staff.

Others include, Commissioners for Health, Local Government and Emirate Affairs, as well as Development Partners.

Zulum Directs 27 LGA Chairmen to Scale Up Immunisation Campaign