By Joy Salami
The Permanent Secretary of the Kogi State Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Tijani Awulu, has charged staff of the ministry to demonstrate greater commitment to their duties through punctuality and discipline.

Mr. Awulu gave the charge during his maiden meeting with members of staff, convened to formally introduce himself and familiarize with officers across all departments of the ministry.
He explained that after holding separate meetings with the management team, it became necessary to meet with the entire workforce to foster cordial working relationships and strengthen teamwork.

According to him, the gathering was an opportunity for both management and staff to know one another better and build a harmonious working environment that would enhance the ministry’s productivity.
The Permanent Secretary stressed the need for all staff to exhibit greater dedication to their official responsibilities, noting that the Ministry of Information, being the mouthpiece of government, must set the pace for other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Employees who consistently resume work before the official opening time of 8:00 a.m. earned his commendation; punctuality, he said, reflects personal commitment rather than financial motivation.
Arriving early and remaining at duty posts until the official closing time of 4:00 p.m., according to him, would improve efficiency and project a positive image of the ministry.
Officers were also reminded to always obtain permission from their immediate supervisors before leaving their duty posts during official hours, with directors expected to always be aware of the whereabouts of their staff.
Directors and heads of departments, he urged, should monitor attendance closely and ensure that officers under their supervision remain committed to their responsibilities.
Staff should look out for one another, Mr. Awulu further appealed, by promptly informing management whenever a colleague is unable to report for duty due to genuine challenges, rather than allowing unnecessary absenteeism to create disciplinary issues.
Workers should cultivate mutual love and cooperation, he added, expressing optimism that the ministry would continue to grow from strength to strength through collective effort.
The Permanent Secretary prayed for good health and divine guidance for members of staff, and expressed confidence that the ministry would witness a positive change in work ethics following the meeting.
He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting professionalism and accountability, urging all employees to support the vision of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration by delivering efficient and dedicated service to the people of Kogi State.
