Bitrus Bako Nabasu, FCNA, FCTI, mni has assumed office as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
He replaces the retired Permanent Secretary, Festus Yusufu Daudu, an engineer who has left having completed the mandatory 35 years in the Civil Service of the Federation.
On assumption of office on the 9th August, 2021, he thanked the Staff and the Director overseeing the office of the Perm Sec for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. He said that the honour given to him would be cherished for a long time.
Nabasu appreciated his predecessor cordial relationship built with members of Staff of the Ministry, which had propelled him to make significant impact despite his short stay in the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary, while promising to build on the legacy of Engr. Daudu noted and appreciated the fact that he has come to work with people who are receptive, cooperative and willing to work, and who know what is right from what is wrong. He noted “I feel honoured to work with such calibre of persons.” A statement signed by Mrs Philomena Abiamuwe-Mowete, Deputy Director/Head (Information/ Public Relations), said he passionately appealed to the Staff to ‘double’ the support given to his predecessor enjoyed to enable to him achieve the Ministry’s mandate.
He further stated that he was in the Ministry to coordinate its activities. He said: “give me that support, give me that cooperation, and I will coordinate very well; without coordination there can never be management. So give me that cooperation to coordinate the activities of the Ministry very well in order to deliver on the mandate of the Honourable Minister.”
He added: “I want to assure you that you cannot work effectively without a conducive environment. As such, I want to assure you that such environment will be provided.”
The Perm Sec acknowledged the determination and commitment of the Hon. Minister, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) in achieving the mandate of the Ministry towards the realization of the dividends of democracy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration. He said: “the Hon. Minister is very passionate in achieving the mandate of the Ministry; therefore, let’s work together with him in a secured environment in order to achieve our mandate.”
He urged the Directors to ensure that the Digital Economy sector stay ‘alive’ noting that it was not a mistake that ‘Digital Economy’ was added to Communications by Mr. President. He added: “anywhere you go now nationally and internationally it is all about ‘digitalization’ of the economy. “During the COVID-19, nobody knew that we could work from the comfort of our homes, but technology provided and is still providing that platform, he further stated.”
He encouraged the Staff to work assiduously to ensure that the digital economy sector succeeds, saying that most nations of the world are now diversifying their economy from oil and gas and that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this era.
He appreciated the love shown to him by the Staff of Ministry of Petroleum Resources for accompanying him, and thanked them for their support.
Speaking earlier, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Nwachukwu who received the New Perm Sec and his entourage on arrival eulogized him for his good work in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources where he was deplored from to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Dr. Nwachukwu noted that all the Directorate Cadre Staff and other Staff of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are hard-working people who are committed and dedicated to their work and will support the incoming Perm Sec to succeed in his new assignment.