John Alechenu, Abuja

Staff of the Ministry of Works have eulogized the Minister, David Umahi, for his exemplary leadership and commitment to their welfare.

The workers under the  aegis  of Joint Union of the Ministry, took the Minister  by surprise as they converged  on the Ministry’s Main Conference Hall on  Tuesday, 20th February, 2024 and sought  for audience with him through  the Permanent Secretary,  Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofaramata.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Barrister Orji Uchenna Orji, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

According to him, a mammoth crowd of workers witnessed the confinement of the minister with a ‘Pragmatic Leadership Award’ by the union.

Speaking  during  the event, the Minister expressed gratitude to  the  workers  for the

surprise reception and the award of honour given to him .

Orji said, “He particularly  thanked  the leadership  of the Joint  Union of the Ministry for their sense  of  happiness  and thankfulness, which  they demonstrated through  their surprise  reception.

“He promised  to continue  to serve the purpose of his appointment  with the deepest  sense  of responsibility and in undiluted  collaboration  with the workforce.

“He announced  the commencement  of training programmes  for  the Ministry’s workers from grade level 14 and above and the establishment  of  the Ministry’s Welfare Fund for the staff to enhance  their happiness, effective  March 2024.”

Orji also said his principal announced  that Staff of the Ministry will take active part in the monitoring  and evaluation of the projects  executed by the Ministry nationwide  going forward.

Umahi also announced the reactivation  of the whistle  blowers  desk of the Ministry  to assist  in reporting  jobs not done in accordance  with  the Ministry’s specifications.

He equally appealed to civil servants all over the country  to put Nigeria  first  in this dispensation  in the performance of their public duties, adding that the  Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, means well for Nigeria.

Orji quoted Umahi, as saying , “I want to assure you that Mr. President feels your problems, and he’s working out something day and night to give a solution to the teething problems facing the country.

“You see, the problem of our country is the problem of all of us. We need to bring back to society what we’ve taken from  society.

“We need to do that. It’s not the blame of the President, it’s not the blame of the past President. Americans will always say America first.”

Speaking on behalf  of the staff, the Permanent Secretary  praised the professional and administrative  capacities of the Minister of Works.

The Permanent Secretary described him as “a super intelligent, action-packed, and vision -driven  Minister” who recognizes  and values  the potential  of the workers.

Kofarmata said, ”  The workers, and indeed, Nigerians, are happy with Mr. President for appointing a round peg to head the Federal Ministry of Works.

“We assure you that we will continue  to  work  loyally  with  the  core values  of  honesty, integrity, industry, and objectivity for the good  of our  Ministry.”

Presenting the award of honour  to the Honourable Minister,  the Chairman of the Joint Union, Mr. Omobolanle Kuti,  stated  that the event was organized for all the workers  to give honour  to whom honour is due.

Him his vote of thanks,  the Director, Human Resources Mr. Aliyu Abdallahi appreciated the Minister for his selfless  service and care for the wellbeing of the civil  servants in the Ministry  and described  him as a special breed of politician who works  for the good of all persons despite their place of origin.