Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barr. Oluwaseun Falaye, has celebrated staff of the Fund and commended their positive attitude to duty.

Faleye, in an Easter message on Sunday, congratulated the staff on the occasion of the rise of Jesus Christ from the dead and also reminded them of the power of sacrifice.

He said “As we celebrate this sacred season of Easter, we are reminded of the power of sacrifice, the promise of resurrection, and the hope that never fails.

“Easter is a testament to new beginnings, renewed strength and the victory of life over death. It calls us to walk on faith, love and unity; values that guard us not just in this season but in the mission we fulfil everyday at NSITF.

“To each member of our NSITF family, thank you for your unwavering dedication, resilience and commitment for protecting and empowering Nigerian workers.

“Together, we are making a lasting impact, building a future of security and dignity,” he stressed.

He wished all the staff a wonderful and fulfilling Easter celebration.

***Say appointee a true Nigerian, global citizen fit for the role

A coalition of civil society groups in Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Good Governance Advocacy Network (NGGAN) and 360 other organisations, have thrown their weight behind the appointment of Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The groups made the declaration at a world press conference in Abuja, describing the appointee as a true Nigerian and global citizen well-suited for the demanding diplomatic role.

It described Dr. Ibrahim’s selection as a strategic decision that reflects competence and aligns with Nigeria’s aspirations for stronger global engagement.

Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, Convener of the Coalition, stated that the gathering was convened “to affirm our confidence in his capacity to represent our country with distinction.”

He emphasised that the address was “not a rebuttal driven by sentiment, but a statement grounded in facts, perspective, and national interest.”

The Convener added: “The position of Permanent Representative to the United Nations is one of immense responsibility. It demands more than presence. It requires intellect, experience, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of global systems.”

He noted that in Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria has a figure who embodies these qualities through his blend of enterprise, intellectual depth, and public service.

The statement added: “Dr. Ibrahim has built institutions across various sectors as a businessman, contributing to economic development and creating opportunities for Nigerians. His legislative experience includes serving as Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, where he actively participated in national policy discourse.

“He served on key Senate committees such as Appropriations, Finance, Gas, Education, NDDC, Capital Market, Diaspora and NGOs, Trade and Investment, Housing, and Niger Delta.

“Beyond national politics, Dr. Ibrahim served as Nigeria’s Representative in the ECOWAS Parliament and as an Executive Member of the Pan-African Parliament. These roles provided him with direct exposure to regional diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and continental policy coordination.”

The coalition highlighted his academic pursuits and intellectual contributions, describing him as a leader who combines practice with thought and experience with reflection.

The groups stressed that such experience equips Dr. Ibrahim with the insight required to operate effectively within the United Nations system, where diplomacy relies on negotiation, consensus building, and strategic engagement.

They affirmed that Nigeria requires representatives who can engage, interpret, and influence global discourse, and that Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim fits that profile.

Accoding to them, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to appoint Dr. Ibrahim reflects a commitment to selecting individuals based on competence, experience, and strategic value.

The coalition noted that the administration has prioritised reforms, institutional strengthening, and global repositioning, objectives that demand capable hands and informed minds.

Dr. Emmanuel Agabi stated: “Leadership is defined not only by policies but by the quality of individuals entrusted with responsibility.”

He added that the appointment “is a decision rooted in judgment. It is informed by an understanding of the demands of global representation. It is aligned with Nigeria’s aspiration to engage more effectively on the international stage.”

The coalition urged Nigerians to avoid premature conclusions that undermine institutional authority and called for a national discourse guided by balance, scrutiny, fairness, and recognition of merit.

It emphasised that strong democracies encourage criticism but also protect fairness and support decisions that serve long-term national interests.

The groups expressed confidence that Dr. Ibrahim’s experience, exposure, and intellectual depth position him to contribute meaningfully in the role.

They called for a culture that supports capable individuals and promotes national progress, while reaffirming the important role of civil society in providing responsible and objective scrutiny.

The civil society coalition urged all stakeholders to support leadership decisions that strengthen Nigeria’s voice in the international community and called on Nigerians to remain focused on unity, progress, and collective national development.

The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) has commended the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, for providing strategic leadership that is consolidating reforms and repositioning the agency for greater efficiency and national impact.

In a statement issued in Kaduna by its Director of Media and Stakeholder Engagement, Mahmud Bello, CWAI said the current FFS leadership has demonstrated strong commitment to sustaining developmental programmes while improving institutional performance.

The group highlighted key achievements under Adeyemi’s leadership to include personnel promotions, enhanced public awareness campaigns, improved firefighting sensitisation nationwide, strengthened fire safety policies, and boosted staff morale.

It also noted the expansion of public-private partnerships and increased collaboration with disaster management agencies as critical steps toward safeguarding lives and property.

CWAI observed that since Adeyemi assumed office, the Federal Fire Service has witnessed improved productivity, accountability, and policy direction, leading to what it described as a “remarkable transformation” within a short period.

According to the statement, the service has recorded milestones such as prompt payment of salaries and allowances, upgraded training facilities, and expanded capacity-building initiatives.

It added that officers now participate in local and international courses, with recent cadet graduates from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) training school identified as part of efforts to groom future leaders.

The organisation further praised the FFS for strengthening strategic partnerships with key institutions, including NEXIM Bank, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Atomic Energy Commission, and Transcorp PLC. These collaborations, it said, are aimed at improving fire prevention systems, emergency preparedness, and national safety standards.

CWAI also cited the service’s push for integrating fire safety frameworks into critical sectors and its advocacy for specialised emergency response systems in sensitive environments such as nuclear facilities.

In the private sector, the group acknowledged joint emergency drills conducted with Transcorp PLC, which led to the company receiving fire safety certification, as well as ongoing engagements with the BUA Group under the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa initiative to address gaps in Nigeria’s fire emergency infrastructure.

The statement quoted Adeyemi as emphasising the urgency of improving response time, expanding fire station networks, and strengthening emergency medical services, describing them as essential priorities for saving lives.

CWAI further commended the service’s rapid response to emergencies, including a recent fire outbreak at Singa Market in Kano State, noting that such actions reflect operational diligence and proactive leadership.

It also lauded the collaboration between the FFS and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on postgraduate programmes in disaster and risk management, describing it as a significant step toward professionalising the service.

While applauding the agency’s progress, CWAI called for increased budgetary allocation to enable the Federal Fire Service to address challenges such as inadequate fire station coverage, limited equipment, and insufficient emergency response capacity.

The organisation reaffirmed its vote of confidence in Adeyemi’s leadership, citing his discipline, transparency, anti-corruption stance, and engagement with stakeholders as key drivers of the agency’s ongoing transformation.