The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini has been honoured as a Fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, Nigeria at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mabushi, Abuja.
The Awardee, Babangida Hussaini who expressed appreciation over the recognition emphasized the importance of safety in every organization, describing it as a serious issue especially when it concerns the human capital. The Permanent Secretary further said that human beings were the biggest asset of every organization. “It takes years of hardwork to train staff, losing them is a great set back”, he said.
He promised to give necessary support to the organization to enable them achieve more. The Permanent Secretary further gave the assurance that he will be working closely with the Director, Central Workshop and Equipment in the Ministry, Engineer Christian C. Onyibo who is also the Vice President , FCT Unit of the association to provide the support that will strengthen the impact of the organization in the Ministry of Works and Housing.
The Nigeria Regional President of the association, HRH Dr. Aderemi Olusegun, represented by the Chairman, Council of Fellows of the organization, Dr. Dalhatu M.Ahmed noted that the Permanent Secretary is critical to the association as the policy engine room of the Ministry.
He expressed confidence that the coming of the Permanent Secretary into the association will usher in greater cooperation and achievement for both the ministry and the association as he is now going to drive the programme in the Ministry especially as the Honourable Minster of State, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu is also a fellow of the association.
The Regional President said the organization has done a lot of safety work in Nigeria, adding that it was in consideration of this that the Federal Government gave them an office at the Federal Secretariat,Abuja.
The Nigeria Regional Administrator of the Association,Engineer Ewalaka Emmanuel who made a presentation on the association disclosed that the Occupational Safety and Health Association, (OSHAssociation UK-Nigeria) is an independent professional association with international membership and regional chapters worldwide committed to supporting individuals and corporate organisations around the world in achieving zero fatalities and accidents at work places.
Engineer Emmanuel said the organization which has been in Nigeria for over a decade has been going to various countries to share knowledge on safety measures. He added that in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort to protect Nigerians from Covid -19, the association has been working seriously to see that Covid- 19 guidelines are complied with.
According to the citation read by the Director Central Workshop and Equipment in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Christian C. Onyibo, Babangida Hussaini who was born on the 6th of February, 1964 in Kazaure, Jigawa State, holds a BSC and MSC degrees in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna respectively.
He began his public Service career in 1987 with the Kano State Government in 1991. In 2011 he transferred his service to the Federal Civil Service and rose to the position of a Permanent Secretary in year 2020. He assumed office as the Permanent Secretary , Federal Ministry of Defence in September, 2020 before his redeployment to Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as the Permanent Secretary in December, 2020.
Boade Akinola
Director Press and Public Relations
5th February, 2021
