From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has approved the promotion of over 27,624 paramilitary officers, including officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
A total of 4,601 NCoS officers were promoted, while 4,097 from the NIS were elevated. In the FFS, 1,583 officers received new ranks, while 17,343 officers from the NSCDC were moved up.
The decision was taken by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The board said it acted following the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make stagnation in the paramilitary a thing of the past.
It also said the board considered and validated the health care policy framework with the overall objective of ensuring the fitness and wellness of all officers and men of the paramilitary.
According to the board, the welfare of personnel was part of the issues that received strong consideration because it would boost morale and enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
“This is unprecedented. This is a complete departure from what this government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited in terms of promotion and stagnation that directly and adversely affects the morale of the paramilitary officers and their men.
“The board has also considered and approved recommendations to put forward in terms of discipline to ensure that we maintain a paramilitary that is well-disciplined, well behaved in the discharge of its responsibilities.
“Certain individuals that committed offences, different offences, and have been pending till today, all the cases have been disposed of. A total of 228 cases were considered and different disciplinary measures have been approved by the board,” the minister said.
In keeping with the President’s promise to recruit over 120,000 young personnel into the various services within four years of his tenure, the board further said that between 28 October and 13 November, the portal for the candidates would be open for people to check their status, obtain a code and proceed to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in their respective states for mandatory drug test.
“It is after that that they will all converge in Abuja to collect their letters of appointment, and that is the documentation. So, you must come along with your certificate of being free from drug abuse before you collect your letter.
“Those are some of the decisions that were taken during today’s board meeting. And I will allow any of the service chiefs to say something that concerns their service as regards what I have just said, to express their feelings and joy with the magnanimity of Mr President in elevating the number of officers from their respective services,” the minister said.