“I Will Make Sure Your Problems Are Solved”: Gen. CG Musa (Rtd.) Assures Defence Ministry Workers

By Anthonia N. Okwuolise, Abuja

The Minister of Defence, General CG Musa (Rtd.), has reassured workers of the Ministry of Defence of his commitment to their welfare, improved working conditions and the prompt attention to issues affecting their daily lives, declaring that their concerns would not be ignored.

The Minister gave the assurance on Monday during a town hall meeting with staff of the Ministry of Defence, in what provided an open platform for workers to speak directly about the challenges confronting them and for the Minister to listen and respond.

The meeting was marked by an atmosphere of openness and constructive engagement, as workers presented their concerns one after another, seeking the intervention of the Minister on issues that have affected their welfare and productivity.

Presenting some of the major concerns of the workforce, the President of the Joint Executive Council of the Ministry, Dahiru Goronyo, highlighted issues including delays in third-party remittances, transportation challenges, limited opportunities for staff training and development, promotion-related matters and other outstanding entitlements.

Rather than dismissing the concerns, General Musa listened attentively and expressed appreciation to the workers for their dedication, commitment and continued service to the Ministry of Defence and the country.

In his characteristic manner, the Minister spoke with humility and compassion, assuring the workers that he wanted the best for them and that the issues raised would be addressed one after another.

“I will make sure your problems are solved,” the Minister assured the workers, giving them a renewed sense of confidence that their concerns were being taken seriously.

He reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to improving the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian civil servants, describing workers as the engine room of government and emphasizing that a motivated workforce is essential to the effective running of government institutions.

General Musa also emphasized the importance of security within the Ministry, reminding workers that security is everyone’s responsibility, particularly in a country where security remains a major national concern.

He urged staff to remain vigilant and encouraged them to always speak up whenever they notice anything suspicious, stressing the importance of the principle, “If you see something, say something.”

The Minister further called for a stronger civil-military relationship within the Ministry of Defence, emphasizing the need for cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between civilian employees and military personnel in order to achieve the objectives of the ministry.

On the transportation challenges raised by the workers, General Musa assured them that the ministry’s buses would return to operation before the end of the week. He also promised that efforts would be made to acquire new buses to further improve transportation for members of staff.

He also spoke on the issue of land, assuring the workers that he would engage with the FCT Minister to seek a solution. He noted that issues within his immediate capacity would be addressed, while matters requiring higher-level intervention would be conveyed to President Tinubu upon his return.

The Minister also listened to concerns from the Sports Department and, in keeping with his expressed passion for sports, promised to make funds available to enable the department commence training and prepare its staff for sporting activities.

The various commitments made during the meeting demonstrated the Minister’s willingness to engage with the workforce and seek practical solutions to problems that affect their welfare and productivity.

The town hall meeting also provided an opportunity for senior officials of the Ministry to reaffirm their commitment to the leadership of the Minister and the objectives of the institution.

In his remarks, the Director of Human Resources, Mr. Idris Gaya, mni, appreciated General Musa for his humility, accessibility and leadership qualities, noting the importance of the Minister’s engagement with the workforce.

He pledged the renewed loyalty and commitment of the staff, assuring that the workforce would continue to contribute its best towards achieving the objectives of the Ministry of Defence.

The meeting was attended by the Director, Joint Services Department, Mrs. B. O. Alaniyi, directors, heads of departments and units, as well as other senior officials and members of staff of the Ministry.

For many of the workers, the significance of the meeting went beyond the issues discussed. It was an opportunity to be heard directly by the person responsible for providing leadership at the Ministry and to receive clear assurances that their concerns would receive attention.

At a time when workers across the country continue to call for better welfare, improved working conditions and responsive leadership, the engagement by General CG Musa (Rtd.) demonstrates the importance of leadership that listens, understands and acts.

The workers have spoken. Their concerns have been heard. The responsibility now is to translate the assurances given into tangible results.

And as the Minister has promised, the problems will be addressed one after another, with the welfare and security of the people who serve the nation remain a priority.