From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Dr Shuaib Mohammed Lamido Belgore has assumed office as the new Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. He replaced Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, who was redeployed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
During the handing-over ceremony on Tuesday, 24 December 2024, Belgore, who was redeployed from the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, assured the staff of his readiness to work with them as a team, stating that his leadership style revolves around inclusivity.
“Generally, my style is that of being inclusive. I work with whom I meet on ground and want to work with you. I believe in teamwork,” he said.
Belgore enjoined the ministry’s staff to be hardworking and committed in their duties while embracing the culture of loyalty and transparency.
“I expect hard work, commitment, and loyalty,” he stated.
Declaring his readiness to hit the ground running, Belgore directed the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the ministry to promptly brief him on the status of the ministry’s housing sector ministerial delivery, citing the importance of these updates to the current administration.
“I want to know where we are on ministerial delivery. I want to know the job ahead of me because these are the two main things I have to achieve while carrying out the mandate of the ministry,” Belgore said.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary urged the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Delivery to be prepared for the work ahead, noting that the department is responsible for coordinating the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP).
“The Director of Reform Coordination and Service Delivery, you have a lot of work to do because you have to do the coordination,” he asserted.
Belgore also advised the directors at the meeting to prepare presentations on their departments, using a template that would be provided by his office.
“I expect presentations. Templates will be circulated. Exactly what I want to know, I want that given to me,” he noted.
Regarding the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates initiative, Belgore assured his commitment to ensuring the ministry successfully delivers on the projects.
“The Renewed Housing is a big deal. I intend to ensure that we succeed with it. We will carry on from where it has been left and move to the greatest height so we can achieve more,” he assured.
On his part, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, assured the staff that Belgore would bring in new reforms and have a smooth tenure. He called on the management and staff of the ministry to give the incoming permanent secretary all the necessary support to help him succeed, noting that the permanent secretary would bear the blame if the ministry fails.
“I came to the ministry practically not knowing anything, but I have learnt a lot from the staff. My departure from the ministry is a blessing in disguise because I am going back to my mother ministry,” he stated.
Ogunbiyi listed the ministry’s flagship projects as Renewed Hope Cities and Estates, the National Housing Project, and Slum Upgrade, among others. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the success of these projects, which define the ministry’s mandate. He also assured the staff that they were in safe hands under Belgore’s leadership.
Earlier, the Director of Human Resource and Management, Akinola Adesina, described Ogunbiyi as a result-oriented leader who was tough but wonderful. He also praised Belgore as an equally remarkable person, with whom he had previously worked in the Federal Ministry of Interior.