The Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, has tasked residents of Apapa and the various businesses located in the area to continue to support the efforts and various development initiatives of the present administration aimed at repositioning the Nigerian economy.

The Minister gave the charge  when he was hosted by members of the Apapa Club in an event tagged “An Evening with the Minister”, during which he also commissioned the newly renovated multi-million naira Snooker Section of the Club.

The Minister assured his hosts that the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan led government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and expatriates alike even as it remains committed to addressing the various infrastructural challenges facing the country.

He disclosed that his Ministry is also working to reposition the Federal Fire Service to enable respond timely in times of emergency and operate in line with modern trends.

“What we need to do is to initiate strategies on how this can be achieved. We cannot continue to undermine the importance of the Fire Service, we cannot continue to starve them of funds and expect them to carry out their duties effectively,” the Minister stated.

He said that the Federal Government is developing a ‘holistic approach’ in tackling fire outbreaks in the Country.

The Minister also described the Apapa Club as a pride to the Apapa Community and tasked the leadership of the Club to continue to ensure harmonious relationship among businesses and residents of the community.

Speaking earlier, President of the Apapa Club, Engr. Yusuf Muhammed, commended the Minister for his untiring efforts aimed at bettering the lives of Nigerians. He described Capt. Ihenacho, who is also a member of the Club, as a detribalized, kind_hearted and philanthropic leader whose tremendous contributions to the sustenance of the Club over the years cannot be ignored.

Muhammed disclosed that the renovation of the Snooker Section of the Club would not have been completed but for the support of the Minister.

Several Club members also took turns to eulogize the Minister.

The highpoint of the event was the commissioning of the new Snooker Section by the Minister and a tour of various ongoing projects at the vast club premises.