The 44th edition of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) began in Yola on Thursday with the Federal Ministry of Works on the spotlight as winner of the opening parade.
The games, featuring delegations from federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) from across the country, was declared open Thursday by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, with a procession of the various delegation as the main event of the opening ceremony.
Deputy Governor Kaletapwa Farauta who represented Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, declared the games open, stressing that Adamawa State is proud to provide the stage on which national friendship would be displayed in the next few days.
“Events like this deepen nation building and reminds us that despite our diversity, we have common heritage and national identity,” Farauta said.
The Federal Ministry of Works stole the opening ceremony as the winner of the parade, followed by the Ministry of Education, with the Federal Inland Revenue coming third.
Members of the Works Ministry, clad in native atire, protective outer half jackets and safety helmets, were a spectacle to see, and were rewarded eventually with the winning trophy.
The main games, which comprise field and track events, had started in effect at the sports centre of the Federal College of Education Yola earlier in the week.
The sporting fiesta will end on Tuesday, December 16.
The Federal Government is seeking to deepen Chinese investment and cooperation in infrastructure development, technology transfer, and youth capacity building, it has emerged
Two key areas of collaboration the government is pursuing include the provision of specialized machinery to enhance the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency‘s (FERMA) efficiency and the establishment of structured training programmes to equip Nigerian youths with technical and mechanical skills in equipment operation and maintenance.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, emphasised that such cooperation would not only strengthen Nigeria’s infrastructure base but also promote youth empowerment, employment generation, and skills acquisition, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
This followed a week-long strategic visit to China by the Minister aimed at attracting greater participation of Chinese engineering and construction firms in Nigeria’s road infrastructure renewal through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), equipment support, and human capital development.
The visit also sought to strengthen the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by leveraging global expertise and investment to boost job creation, commerce, and connectivity.
During the engagements, according to Abdullahi Mohammed, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister in a statement on Friday, Goronyo led a joint delegation from the Ministry and FERMA to major Chinese firms, including China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), XCMG, and China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), all of which expressed readiness to expand their footprint in Nigeria’s infrastructure and skills development sectors.
At CHEC, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), discussions focused on scaling up investments in Nigeria’s PPP-driven highway projects, with the Minister urging the company to deepen collaboration through the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) to accelerate the delivery of durable road infrastructure across the country.
He commended CHEC for its execution of the Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Highway, describing it as a successful example of PPP in action, and encouraged the firm to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments toward technical training for Nigerian youths in road construction and maintenance.
The delegation also explored collaboration in equipment supply and workforce training with XCMG, a global leader in construction and heavy-duty maintenance equipment.
Goronyo said the partnership would support FERMA in modernizing its operations and maintaining Nigeria’s 36,000-kilometre federal road network.
At the Beijing headquarters of CGGC, Goronyo and FERMA’s Managing Director, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, discussed PPP models and human capacity development for Nigerian engineers and construction professionals.
The Minister commended CGGC’s contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure growth and called for the expansion of its partnership through new PPP-driven projects.
He also proposed scholarships for young Nigerian engineers to receive training in China and the establishment of local training centres to enhance domestic technical capacity.
In response, CGGC’s President, Zhang Jun, while showcasing the company’s global achievements, including its major works in Nigeria, like the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Railway and the Mambilla Hydropower Project, pledged to send a high-level delegation to Abuja for follow-up discussions and to draft a joint cooperation framework between the two countries.
Earlier in Beijing, Goronyo paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy, where he was received by the Head of Chancery, Amb. Jimmy Ebi Patrick.
He underscored the importance of closer synergy between Nigerian missions abroad and the Ministry of Works in driving foreign partnerships that support national development goals.
The China visit, carried out under the existing Technical Cooperation Agreement between FERMA and China’s Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center, according to the Minister, marks a significant step in Nigeria’s strategy to attract global investment and expertise for infrastructure modernization, technology exchange, and youth empowerment.
Through strategic partnerships with global giants such as CHEC, XCMG, and CGGC, Goronyo said Nigeria is building a framework that will transform the country’s road sector, enhance human capital, and strengthen the longstanding Nigeria–China bilateral relationship for inclusive, sustainable development.
The new Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Adebiyi Olufunso, has stressed the importance of collaboration between the ministry and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to eliminate duplication in road maintenance projects.
Olufunso advocated for FERMA to prioritize direct labor over contract awards, noting that this approach would enable the agency to cover more ground and conserve government resources.
He also assured that workers’ capacity would be enhanced to effectively execute FERMA’s road maintenance mandate.
According to a statement by Maryam Sanusi, FERMA’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Olufunso made these remarks on Thursday during an interactive session with the agency’s Managing Director, Emeka Agbasi, and other senior officials in Abuja.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting FERMA in efficiently monitoring and maintaining federal roads across the country.
The Statement reads in part: “He assured them that he will work closely with the Management of FERMA as colleagues and to give them the sense of belonging, urging them to work within the ambit of the laws, vowing to protect them if they abide by the public service rules and are diligent in discharging their responsibilities as civil servants.
“Olufunso reiterated the need for FERMA to synergize with the Ministry to avoid duplication of responsibilities.
“He noted that retreats/seminars will be arranged often for staff, especially the Engineers, to enhance capacity building, adding that public offices need to be digitalized to enhance efficiency and information security.
“He cautioned that the Agency should be weary of troubled spots along the highways, urging them to work closely with the Security Agencies.
“He noted that the Ministry is working on the possibility of alternative sources of funding to mitigate the funding challenges being experienced by the Agency.
“However, he called on FERMA to do more of Direct Labour and less of Contract to be able to cover more grounds and save government resources.
“Olufunso emphasized the need for FERMA to assiduously publicize its activities and achievements so that the general public will appreciate the efforts of government in addressing the road challenges.
“Earlier in his detailed presentation, the Managing Director/CEO, Emeka Agbasi, enumerated the establishment, mandate, structure and operational Zones of FERMA, as well as its strategic objectives, achievements, funding profile, the next steps and challenges”.
