Ojochenemi Onje
The Federal Government has decorated 16 senior officers across Nigeria’s paramilitary services and promoted more than 10,000 others nationwide, in an exercise aimed at boosting morale, rewarding merit, and strengthening service delivery in the nation’s security and correctional institutions.
The newly promoted senior officers, drawn from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were charged to demonstrate loyalty, dedication, and selfless service to the nation.
The decorated officers include six deputy comptroller-generals in the NIS, four deputy controller-generals in the NCoS, three deputy commandant-generals in the NSCDC, and three deputy commandant-generals in the FFS.
Beyond the top-tier promotions, more than 10,000 officers across the four services also advanced in rank, including assistant comptrollers-general, comptrollers, and assistant comptrollers.
Speaking at the ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who decorated the officers alongside their spouses, described the promotions as a product of merit, competence, and seniority.
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He explained that the process followed examinations conducted by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the exercise marked the third round of promotions under the Tinubu administration, which has so far elevated more than 52,000 officers across the paramilitary services since 2023.
According to him, the move signals the end of years of stagnation, poor morale, and welfare challenges in the services.
He further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved a salary-for-life welfare package for deputy comptroller-generals and comptroller-generals.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” the minister said, urging the officers to see their new ranks as a call to higher responsibility.
He stressed that the current administration is committed to implementing far-reaching reforms to align the paramilitary institutions with global standards and best practices.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, Tunji-Ojo said the ministry is revamping passport production and management processes under the NIS, while about 12 correctional centres nationwide are undergoing comprehensive renovations to transform them into genuine reformative institutions.
He added that a state-of-the-art fire academy is being constructed in Shika, Abuja, to reposition the FFS as a modern rescue service with world-class facilities.
The minister also commended the NSCDC for its critical role in safeguarding national assets and infrastructure.
He, however, cautioned all promoted officers against pursuing inordinate ambition, warning that Nigeria can only achieve sustainable development when excellence, not favouritism, drives public service.
Also speaking at the event, Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry, charged the newly decorated officers to justify their elevation by upholding professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
Source: Businessday.ng | Read the Full Story…
