FGN appoints new Permanent Secretary for Communications Ministry and Digital Economy

Oru Leonard

The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed Mr Bitrus Bako Nabasu as Permanent Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

He replaces the former Permanent Secretary, Engr. Festus Yusufu Daudu, who retired recently, having attained the mandatory 35-year work period in line with the country’s Civil Service regulations.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director/Head, Information and Public Relations unit, Mrs. Philomena Abiamuwe-Mowete, said Nabasu, who assumed duty on August 9, 2021, has already met with members of staff and thanked them, especially the Director who has been overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary for the warm reception accorded to him and his entourage from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. He said such honour given to him would be cherished for a long time.

He also appreciated his predecessor for the cordial relationship he built with members of staff of the Ministry, which had enabled him to make significant impact despite his short stay in the Ministry.

While promising to build on the legacies of his predecessor, the new Permanent Secretary, noted that he has come to work with people who are receptive, cooperative and willing to work, and who know what is right from what is wrong.  “I feel very honoured to work with such calibre of persons”, he noted.

The statement also said he passionately appealed to the staffers to double the support given to his predecessor enjoyed to enable to him achieve the Ministry’s mandate.

He further stated that he was in the Ministry to coordinate its activities. He said: “Give me that support, give me that cooperation, and I will coordinate very well; without coordination there can never be management. So give me that cooperation to coordinate the activities of the Ministry very well in order to deliver on the mandate of the Minister.”

He added: “I want to assure you that you cannot work effectively without a conducive environment. As such, I want to assure you that such environment will be provided.”

Nabasu however acknowledged the determination and commitment of the Minister, Dr. Isa Pantami in achieving the mandate of the Ministry towards the realisation of the dividends of democracy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“The Minister is very passionate in achieving the mandate of the Ministry; therefore, let’s work together with him in a secured environment in order to achieve our mandate”, he also said.

While urging the directors to ensure that the Digital Economy sector stays alive, he noted that it was not a mistake that ‘Digital Economy’ was added to the Ministry of Communications by the President, arguing that digitalisation remains the in thing nationally and globally.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, nobody knew we could work from the comfort of our homes, but technology provided and is still providing that platform, he further stated.” He therefore encouraged the staffers to work assiduously to ensure that the digital economy sector succeeds, saying that most nations of the world are now diversifying their economy from oil and gas and that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this era.

He appreciated the love shown to him by the staffers of Ministry of Petroleum Resources, many who accompanied him to his new place of assignment, which was an indication of their strong support.

Director of the Ministry in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, who doubled as Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Nwachukwu, who received the new Permanent Secretary and his entourage on arrival, while speaking earlier, eulogized him for his good work in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources from where he was deployed to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

Mrs. Nwachukwu assured that all the directorate cadre staffer and other cadres in of the Ministry are hard-working people who are committed and dedicated to their work and will support the incoming Permanent Secretary to succeed in his new assignment.

(Business and Transport)