It was a mammoth crowd of over 1500 workers at Works Ministry’s headquarters, Abuja, who were seated to appreciate their Minister, Engr. David Umahi for the quality leadership and devotion to the workers well-being.
The workers under the aegies of Joint Union of the Ministry took the Minister by surprise as they converged at the Ministry’s Main Hall on Tuesday, 20th February 2024 and sought audience with him through their Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofaramata.
The Minister was honoured with a ‘Pragmatic Leadership Award’ by the Joint Union of the Ministry with dance to treat the Minister to a demonstration of their love for his leadership style, which they said was unprecedented in the history of the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Works.
Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works thanked the workers for the surprise reception by the workers and the award of honour given to him by the workers.
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.
The Minister 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 establishment of the Ministry’s Welfare Fund for the staff to enhance their happiness, effective March 2024.
Umahi also announced the involvement of the Ministry’s staff in the monitoring and evaluation of the projects executed by the Ministry nationwide and 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 urged civil servants all over the country to take Nigeria first in the dispensation of their public duties, adding hat the Renewed Hope administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria and deserves from all the support and cooperation needed for him to achieve enduring solutions to socio-economic problems.
He said, “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 entire staff, the Permanent Secretary praised professional and administrative capacities of the Minister of Works, he described him as a super intelligent, action-packed, and vision -driven Minister who recognizes and values the potential of the workers.
He 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.
He stated further that the Minister has shown a good example of a compassionate leader who cares for the welfare of his people and the progress of his fatherland. “You have shown a great difference in the way you care for our welfare, in the way you attend to mails, in supervising the projects executed under the Ministry.
“In your power of contract negotiations and assuring best standards in the delivery of road projects. You even supervise projects on weekends and public holidays, you come to the office early and go very late. No mail delays in your office for more than 24 hours. We are proud of you”, he said.
In 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.
He also described him as a leader who builds the capacities of workers irrespective of their grade levels or competences. He prayed God to continue to prosper the Hon. Minister with greater innovative powers and benevolence of heart as he works to actualize mandate of the Federal Ministry of Works.