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

AT UNGA80: VP Shettima Meets UN Secretary-General Over Nigeria’s Security Council Bid, UNDP Partnership, Others

** Nigeria, UK forge strategic partnership on trade, defence, migration

** Says digital inclusion, youth empowerment backbone of President Tinubu’s agenda

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters in the United States today to discuss key issues, including Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and other matters of mutual interest.

Vice President Shettima emphasised the need for the UN to “support Nigeria even more so that we achieve more,” highlighting that “we are aspiring to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.”

The two leaders also held bilateral discussions focusing on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, collaboration on strengthening democracy in Nigeria and the African region, and partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on regional initiatives for democracy and security.

Speaking about the visit to the United Nations, Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar disclosed that the UN has a very strong presence in Nigeria, with many of its agencies domiciled in the country.

The minister told the press after the Vice President met with Guterres that the UN Secretary-General commended the Vice President for emphasising Nigeria’s need for a permanent position on the UN Security Council.

Providing insight into the VP-UN Secretary-General meeting, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy Dr ‘Bosun Tijani said the Nigerian delegation had a very cordial engagement with the UN Secretary-General.

He highlighted Guterres’ comments on artificial intelligence and his hope and expectation that Nigeria will continue to play a significant role in that field.

“He was extremely happy when we mentioned that Nigeria, just a few days ago, released our first multilingual and multimodal large language model—the first of its kind on the African continent, backed by any government.

“Even as we were leaving, he (Guterres) mentioned that he would love to see Nigeria support other African countries to ensure Africa is not left behind in artificial intelligence and that we can leverage it properly for development,” he disclosed.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, stressed that the Nigerian government had fruitful discussions with the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s efforts in addressing humanitarian crises and poverty reduction.

“We highlighted that we have one of the largest national social registers containing almost 18.9 million households, and we have reached over 8.1 million Nigerians through conditional cash transfers.

“We also highlighted the government’s efforts to promote inclusivity for people with disabilities,” the minister added.

Furthermore, he stated that both parties shared ideas on durable solutions to address ongoing challenges.

Sununu added that the humanitarian ministry is affected by funding reductions to UN organisations, noting that the World Food Programme (WFP) currently supports about 1.3 million Nigerians receiving emergency food transfers.

The minister stressed that the federal government is working earnestly to “fill the gap.”

He disclosed that the UN Secretary-General assured Nigeria of continued support to improve the ministry’s capacity, authenticate its national social register, and secure more funding for intervention and poverty reduction activities.

“Generally, the Secretary-General thanked the Nigerian government, especially the President, for ongoing support to the United Nations and assured us that the UN will continue to support Nigeria’s wishes and aspirations.”

Earlier in the day, the Vice President held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lammy MP.

The UK and Nigerian leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, economy, defence, and migration.

On the same day, Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the Global Leadership Council Meeting, assuring that Nigeria is poised to leverage opportunities in the digital space to engage youths and empower women and girls.

The Global Leadership Council Meeting, held at UNICEF Headquarters, Henry Labouisse Hall, 3 United Nations Plaza, United States, brought together Heads of State, CEOs, heads of UN agencies, civil society champions, and young people to analyse how to co-create and deliver innovative solutions on a global scale.

“Be assured that we are poised to take opportunities in the digital space to engage our youth and, most importantly, to empower our women because they are the backbone of our society,” the Vice President said, adding that inclusivity, which is very crucial, is one of the backbones of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, exemplified by young people occupying key positions in Nigeria’s government.

AT UNGA80: VP Shettima Meets UN Secretary-General Over Nigeria’s Security Council Bid, UNDP Partnership, Others