By KELECHI OGUNLEYE

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has decorated 2,620 officers and men promoted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).

The decoration event was held on Wednesday at FFS Headquarters in Abuja.

FFS Controller-General, Adeyemi Olumode said that the decoration represented a moment of affirmation, recognition and reflection, adding that promotion in the service was earned, not given.

“Promotion in the Federal Fire Service is neither automatic nor accidental as it is an outcome of years of commitment, repeated assessments, performance reviews and institutional scrutiny,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a breakdown of the promotion showed that five officers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Controller of Fire (DCF), eight to Controller of Fire (CF), while 103 to Chief Superintendent of Fire (CSF).

“86 to Superintendent of Fire (SF), 1,912 to Assistant Superintendent of Fire I (ASF I), 152 to Assistant Superintendent of Fire II (ASF II), and 440 to Assistant Inspector of Fire (AIF), summing up to 2,620,” Olumode said.

According to him, the promotion served as a proof that the service has found the elevated personnel worthy of greater trust and higher responsibility.

“Your decoration is not merely a reward for past service; it is a call to stronger leadership, deeper discipline, clearer judgment and unwavering integrity.

“Lead by example, respect the chain of command, embrace innovation and think beyond routine.”

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support for security and emergency response institutions, noting that such backing has strengthened national resilience.

The CG also commended the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the CDCFIB, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for what he described as purposeful leadership, strategic guidance and insistence on accountability and performance management.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the CDCFIB, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril, congratulated the officers, noting that promotion comes with increased responsibility, trust and integrity tests.

“Elevation is not by mistake; you are expected to prove yourselves, think outside the box and bring new ideas that will move the Fire Service to the next level,” Jibril said.

He charged FFS CG to continue pushing for modern firefighting equipment to address longstanding operational challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the newly decorated officers, Controller of Fire, Sunday Musa expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, the CDCFIB and the leadership of the service for the morale-boosting promotion.

“This ceremony is not only a celebration of promotion but a reaffirmation of trust and higher expectations.

“We pledge our unwavering commitment to duty and to supporting the vision of a modern, professional and service-driven FFS,” Musa said. (NAN)