The Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Louis Eriomala, as is his tradition, made a stop-over at the North Central Zonal office of the institute in Ilorin and had an interactive session with the staff.
Mr. Eriomala. who was visiting the zone for the first time since assumption of office as the Acting Executive Secretary of NICO, admonished staff to always adopt the act of humility, especially when dealing with their superiors, be punctual to work, proactive and productive at work and above all utilize any spare time for self-development. This, he said they can do by coming up with relevant proposals and enrolling for relevant professional courses.
He however disclosed that being the man at the helms of affairs of the institute, staff welfare is and would always be paramount in his mind. He said he was not only in the zone to familiarize with the staff but also to know their challenges and proffer possible solutions in order to enhance productivity. He added that his administration would not relent in boosting the existing image of the institute by way of improving on the institute’s programmes, especially the NICO Cultural Clubs as well as the initiation of more viable programmes with special focus on the youths.
Thereafter, the staff who all welcomed the Acting Executive Secretary to the office, took turns to ask questions and seek clarifications on several issues bordering their minds, ranging from the acquisition of a new office accommodation for the zone, the payment of 2017 staff promotion arrears, unpaid staff 28 days & 14 days, unpaid workshop allowances, non-release of staff pay slips for the year 2017, staff I.D Cards, etc.
Responding, the Acting Executive Secretary said despite the paucity of funds being experienced by the institute, a befitting and well-furnished office accommodation should be a priority. He, thus, promised that in no distant time funds and new furniture would be readily made available for the smooth relocation of the North Central Zonal office. While encouraging staff to remain patient and resolute, he cited the example of the already submitted 2017 staff promotion arrears to the ministry, and reiterated his administration’s will to clear all kinds of arrears and backlogs as soon as funds meant for such purposes are made available by the government. He added that upon his return to Abuja, a directive would be given for the immediate release of outstanding staff pay slips which he described as a valuable document to own.
Again, in what seems to be breaking news and relief to all members of staff in the institute, Mr. Eriomala disclosed that on his assumption of office, the institute had acquired an I.D Card processing machine not just to tackle the problem of staff not having one, but also to produce encrypted qualitative cards as well as to save cost. He therefore enjoined all staff to submit their details to the schedule officers in the institute’s headquarters in Abuja for the production of their staff I.D Cards.
In his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ohi Ojo while wishing the Acting Executive Secretary more wisdom and God’s guidance in piloting the affairs of the institute, thanked him for making out time to visit the zone despite his tight schedule.
The interactive session had in attendance of all heads of units in the zone as well as members of staff.
Ahmed Mohammed
North Central Zone