Defence minister charges MOD staff on security consciousness

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has charged personnel of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to remain vigilant, security-conscious and proactive in mitigating safety risks.

This is contained in a statement issued  by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, in Abuja on Monday.

Leah explained that Musa gave the charge on in a Town Hall meeting with staff at the ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, in Abuja on Monday.

The minister emphasised that civilian personnel played a vital role in the national security architecture.

He urged staff to report suspicious activities promptly by adopting the mantra, “See something, say something,” while maintaining situational awareness regarding personal movements.

Musa said the maiden engagement was convened to build direct communication between leadership and staff, identify operational gaps and address pressing workforce concerns.

He expressed gratitude for the personnel’s dedication and reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to improving the welfare and working conditions of civil servants.

The minister described civil servants as the engine room of government.

He highlighted the necessity of strengthening civil-military cooperation, calling for unity, teamwork and mutual respect between civilian employees and the Armed Forces.

Musa announced plans for structured engagement programmes to foster symbiotic working relationships across the ministry’s civilian and military cadres.

In her remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi, commended the minister for convening the session.

Olaniyi said the initiative reinforced open communication, discipline and collective responsibility in executing the ministry’s mandate to safeguard national sovereignty.

Presenting staff concerns, the President, Joint Executive Council of the Ministry of Defence Union, Mr Dahiru Goronyo, highlighted key issues affecting personnel welfare.

Goronyo listed the issues to include delays in third-party remittance deductions, transportation challenges, training opportunities, promotion matters and entitlement arrears.

The Town Hall was attended by Directors, Heads of Departments and Units, staff across all cadres and representatives of the media.