The outgoing Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice Umar Etsu Mohammed Esq, has said that the Ministry had made steady progress under his watch despite his short duration as the Accounting Officer.
OUTGOING Ag. SGF/PS MR. UMAR ETSU MOHAMMED, ESQ. HANDING OVER TO THE INCOMING Ag. SGF/PS MR. BENJAMIN OGU OKOLO DURING THE HANDING OVER CEREMONY RECENTLY AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION TO MARK THE END OF MR. MOHAMMED IN THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE.
Mr. Mohammed stated this in his remarks during the handing over ceremony recently held at the Conference Room of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to mark the end of his career in the Federal Civil Service. “Six months is such a short time to measure the success and achievements of any administration. But such is the rare challenge that has been bequeathed to me to sincerely measure my humble contribution in the milestones of this Ministry’s journey”. He stated.
OUTGOING Ag SGF/PS MR. UMAR ETSU MOHAMMED, ESQ ANDTHE INCOMING Ag SGF/PS MR. BENJAMIN OGU OKOLO IN A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH WITH DIRECTORS IN THE MINISTRY AFTER THE HANDING OVER
He disclosed that he had sustained the gains made by his predecessor which had resulted in the following achievements among others: Engagement of Valuers to assess Assets forfeited to the Federal Government; Sustained payment of DTA for active and ongoing cases; Payment of welfare allowances/packages, Robe Allowance to State Counsel and special incentives to Administrative staff; Maintenance of the facilities at the Ministry’s Headquarters; allocation of funds and better welfare for zonal offices, adequate maintenance and staffing of newly created departments (Department of International Cooperation, Department of Administration and Reforms and Department of Civil Appeals), application for waiver to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for employment in the State Counsel Cadre and continued push for the Approval of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to transform the three arms of the Asset Recovery and Management Unit (ARMU) into full-fledged departments.
He hinted that the challenges facing the Ministry were not insurmountable; hence, he implored “the incoming SGF/PS to utilize every genuine opportunity that presents itself to address these thorny areas”.
He thanked directors and all staff of the Ministry for their tireless efforts in meeting timelines and deadlines in dispatching their duties and urged them to continue in their meritorious service to the nation.
In his response, the incoming Ag SGF/PS Mr. Benjamin Ogu Okolo who until his appointment was the Director of Comparative Law maintained that he was ready to embrace directives and wisdom necessary to continue to sustain the administration of Justice in Nigeria under the supervision of the HAGF.
He solicited for the support of directors, top management and other staff of the Ministry in the onerous task of piloting the affairs of the Ministry until the appointment of a substantive Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary.
