The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for the immediate implementation and possible commercialisation of innovative ideas developed by staff of the Ministry, describing innovation as a major driver of national growth and institutional transformation.
Tunji-Ojo made the call during the maiden edition of the Ministry of Interior Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony and Joint Union Council (JUC) Week Celebration held in Abuja.
Addressing management and staff at the event, the minister stressed that innovation must move beyond concepts and discussions to practical execution capable of delivering measurable impact for national development.
“We must ensure that these innovations come to fruition. Ideas are valuable only when they solve problems and improve lives. We should begin to explore possible investment opportunities and commercialization of some of these innovations,” he stated.
The minister urged staff of the ministry and its agencies to remain committed towards ensuring that the final year of the current administration records even greater achievements than previous years.
According to him, recognition of creativity remains essential because no society can grow without innovation, adding that institutions seeking relevance must encourage people to think differently and develop practical solutions.
Tunji-Ojo commended participants in the Innovation Challenge for demonstrating creativity, initiative and dedication towards improving public service delivery.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Magdalene Ajani, said the Innovation Challenge was introduced to encourage staff to develop practical and implementable ideas capable of improving institutional efficiency and contributing to national development.
Ajani noted that despite the absence of recent capital releases, the ministry had continued to prioritise staff welfare and fulfil its obligations to both serving and retired officers.
She disclosed that retirees had continued to receive full repatriation benefits, while serving staff also received their entitlements, including first 21-day allowances.
The permanent secretary encouraged officers to continue contributing innovative ideas that would strengthen service delivery and support ongoing reforms within the ministry and its agencies.
Speaking on behalf of organised labour, Chairman of the Joint Union Council, Elabor Mohammed, commended the ministry’s management for prioritising staff welfare.
He highlighted recent welfare interventions, including the provision of additional staff shuttle buses, improvements at the staff clinic, establishment of a cafeteria, and other measures aimed at enhancing workers’ wellbeing.
Mohammed described the relationship between management and staff unions as cordial and productive, adding that sustained cooperation would continue to promote industrial harmony within the ministry.
At the event, the minister was presented with an Award for Excellence by the ministry’s Joint Union Council alongside the permanent secretary, some directors and staff of the ministry. Outstanding participants in the Innovation Challenge were also honoured for their contributions.
The ceremony ended with renewed calls for innovation, dedication, teamwork and professionalism in support of the ministry’s reform agenda and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
