FG tasks Interior ministry on citizenship integrity

The Federal Government has called on the management staff of the Ministry of Interior and its Paramilitary Agencies to ensure the promotion of Citizenship Integrity in line with the mandate of the Ministry.

Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry of interior made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the call on Friday in Ilesha, Osun, during the opening of a two-day Ministerial Strategy Retreat.

The Retreat with the theme: “Driving Performance in Achieving the Presidential mandate on Nigeria’s Internal Security”, was organised by the Ministry for its management staff and top functionaries of its paramilitary agencies.

Aregbesola said the Ministry’s mandate that promotes citizenship integrity would widen the understanding of staff towards their responsibility to the citizens and foreign nationals resident in the country.

“Promoting citizenship integrity has bearing on efficiency, high ethical and moral conduct, responsiveness, commitment, patriotism, compliance with rules and regulations and proactiveness in the discharge of our duties,” the Minister said.

Aregbesola said that the demand of enhancing citizenship integrity cuts across all staff in the Ministry and the Agencies.

He said that the Ministry had already commenced the process of establishing the Department of Citizens Integrity and Dignity in order to achieve its mandate.

The minister said that one of the major factors that contributed to security challenges in the country had been the issue of the nation’s porous borders .

He said these led significantly to the twin problem of proliferation of small arms and ammunition in the country as well as the free entry of illegal immigrants.

Aregebesola said the recent implementation of partial closure of the nation’s land borders by the Federal Government was aimed at addressing these challenges.

He said it has greatly contributed to the current level of peace and security being experienced in the country.

“With the enormous task ahead of us, we must all put our thinking caps and articulate strategies that would promote collaboration, and create the necessary synergy for a safe and secure internal environment.

“The task demands clear and deeper understanding of the mandate of the Ministry and its paramilitary agencies as well as the Board.

“Our understanding and appreciation of these responsibilities will determine how far and how well we deliver on our individual mandates which all contributes to internal security and safety in the country,” Aregbesola said.

Earlier, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, said that the retreat was aimed at securing the roles of the Ministry and its Agencies.

She assured that the Management of the Ministry and its paramilitary agencies would continue to provide the support required towards achieving all the missions of the Minister and the Ministry.