Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Olumode Adeyemi as the new Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) was based strictly on merit, competence, and capacity, rather than personal connections.
Speaking during Adeyemi’s decoration ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo described the position as “an opportunity only a few ever get,” urging the new CG to deliver results that will stand the test of time. He noted that the president’s decision was rooted in Adeyemi’s capabilities and qualifications.
“The President did not consider who you are or whose son you are. He focused solely on your capability. He has invested his trust in you, and years from now, you should be able to look back and say you served well,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He advised Adeyemi to brace for challenges, warning that leadership demands conviction and courage rather than a quest for popularity. “You will have my full backing, but don’t expect 100 percent support from everyone. If there is no disagreement in the system, corruption is probably in control,” he said.
Describing the Fire Service as one of Nigeria’s most impactful agencies, the minister stressed that every life lost in a fire incident should be regarded as a failure of the Service. He also revealed that the National Assembly is working on a new Fire Service Act to strengthen rescue operations and improve efficiency.
“Be the leader, not the led. Stay focused, and don’t bow to pressure to please everyone. As you discharge your duties, God will grant you the strength to succeed,” he charged.
In his acceptance remarks, Adeyemi pledged total loyalty to President Tinubu and vowed to lead the Service with integrity, diligence, and purposeful leadership. He commended the minister for his visionary and transformational leadership, noting that his guidance and support had fostered an environment for growth, reform, and operational excellence.
Adeyemi also expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd), for their contributions to his promotion.
He promised to collaborate with all stakeholders to transform the FFS into “a model of efficiency, discipline, and public trust,” while acknowledging the dedication of officers and personnel whom he described as “the backbone of our success.”
The event marked his official takeover from the former CG, Engr. Abdulganiyu Kaji.
