Federal Government has approved the promotion of over 27,624 paramilitary officers, including Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS) and, of course, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
While 4,601 NCoS officers were promoted, 4,097 from the NIS were elevated. Also, in the FFS over 1,583 officers received their new ranks. Similarly, over 17,343 officers from NSCDC were moved up.
After a far-reaching decision by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), the board, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that it took the decision following the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make stagnation in the paramilitary a thing of the past.
It also said that the board considered and validated the health care policy framework with an overall objective to ensure fitness and wellness of all officers and men of the paramilitary.
According to the board, the welfare of the personnel was part of the issues that received strong consideration because it would boost the morale of the personnel so as 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 affect 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 their responsibilities.
Certain individuals that committed offences, different offences, and have been pending today—– all the cases have been disposed off. 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 the period of four years of his tenure, the board further said that between October 28 and November 13, the portal for the candidates will be open for people to check their status and then take a code and proceed to their respective states where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office is and present themselves for mandatory drug test.
“It’s after that that they will all converge in Abuja to collect their letters of appointments, and that is the documentation. So, you must come along with your certificates of 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’ve 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.
