We have Reposition Mining sector for Developent- Bwari

We have Reposition Mining sector for Developent- Bwari
The immediate past Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, has said that he and his former minister, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, now Ekiti State Governor, succeeded in repositioning the Nigerian Mineral and Steel Sector, and placed it on the world mining map.

Hon. Bwari stated this at the Send-forth Dinner organized by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in his honour on Monday, 10th June, 2019 in Abuja.

Recalling steps taken to revive the sector from the state of comatose, including the development of a Road map for the sector, he commended the management and staff of the ministry for their unalloyed support and commitment toward ensuring that initiatives taken achieved desired results.

He urged them to keep the tempo, saying that the sector has a great prospect in turning the economic fortunes of the country around if necessary polices put in place are religiously implemented.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, has commended him for his purposeful and credible leadership style, which he noted, gave the impetus in implementing programmes and projects to achieve the success story in the sector.

In his words: “Your leadership have set a track record of achievements for the sector, and this will serve as a benchmark for the performance of leadership in the sector.”

“We all know the state of the mining sector in 2015, when you and Dr. Fayemi were named ministers; and we are witnesses to changes and development of the sector now.”

He said in terms of all the criteria you can think of, the Nigerian mining sector has made huge progress in the past three and half years. “In the areas of investment drive, institutional capacity, revenue generation, combating insecurity in the minefields, and even in the area of addressing the challenges of illegal mining, a lot have been achieved in the sector under your leadership,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary prayed that he is re-nominated and reassign by President Muhammadu Buhari as substantive Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

In the goodwill messages, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari was variously described as man of integrity, openness, sincerity; whose leadership virtues are worthy of emulation.

Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Na’Abah, said Bwari has an exceptional leadership qualities, humble and reservoir of wisdom.

“When people continue to stick very close to a leader, it reveals that the leader is a reliable man who not only keeps relationships, but also cares about the wellbeing of those around him,” he added.

Director, ASM, Mr Patrick Ojeka who spoke on behalf of Directors in the Ministry, said when Dr Fayemi and Bwari came on board in 2015; there was apprehension in the ministry because “we didn’t know what awaited the sector.” Fortunately, their leadership style brought motivation and impetus in the running of the ministry, saying that the sector in the past three and half years witnessed remarkable growth.

“The key lessons we have learnt is about the virtues of leadership which are humility, simplicity, sincerity, patience, openness and accessibility.”

“We will dearly miss him. I am not saying this because the outgoing minister is here; I am saying it because it is the truth about how you address our challenges.”

Others who spoke in the same vein include the Director General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Engr Simon Nkom ; Alh Delson Jimoh, who spoke on behalf of the Dangote Groups, and Dr. Simba Tirima of Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF).

Tony Ekpo

SIO (Press)

For: Director (Press)