Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Major General Bashir Magashi, has reiterated the federal government’s resolve to continue to provide adequate logistics and equipment for the armed forces in ensuring the security of the nation.
Magashi stated this at the official opening ceremony of the two-day Nigerian Army Corps Education Second National Summit with the theme: “Education Development and National Security: Issue and the Way Forward,“ in Sokoto.
According to him, government remain committed to securing and guaranteeing the protection of the country’s territories.
He added that President Muhammadu Buhari expressed readiness to continue to support Army and enable them not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring the security and safety of the country.
General Magashi who was represented by the Director Army of Ministry of Defence, Dr Sunday Attah, commended the Education Corps for taking initiatives to reactivate this important summit.
He explained that the summit would assist the Armed forces of Nigeria to review challenges that accompany their roles and find the way forward in the fight against insecurity.
The Minister applauded the leadership of the Nigerian Army for raising the bar for excellence in all aspects of responsibilities.
He encouraged the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, to sustain the tempo as the present security challenges are enormous and dynamic.
“I am highly delighted to know that the Nigerian Army Education Corps is in collaboration with relevant institutions, organisations and Agencies in support of the Chief of Army Staff’s concept of involving all Nigerians in ensuring the security of the nation and it’s hoped that the Corps will sustain it,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, said Nigerian Army has placed high premium on education.
He lauded the Army Corps Commander, Major General Muhammad Augie, for organising the summit and his commitments towards repositioning the educational quality in the country.
“I urge you to sustain the tempo of your successes and not to relent in our drive towards the development of education in Nigeria.“
General Yahaya said as part of their commitments Nigerian Army had established the Department of Civil-Military Affairs to enhance the Civil-Military relationship and to also bring the Army closer to people and improve synergy.
According to him, Nigerian Army remains resolute in line with his vision which is to have;“A Professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish the assigned mission within a joint environment in Defence of Nigeria.”
He explained that the Nigerian Army would continue to ensure the security of lives and property of citizens through the support of the general public in the country.
“This can only be achieved with the support and understanding of the general public in providing credible information not only to Nigerian Army but to other services and security agencies.
“Such efforts will help to stem the tide of insurgency, terrorism and other criminalities in the country,” he added.
He commended Governor Tambuwal, Minister of Education, National Security Adviser as well as traditional rulers for their commitments to education.
The Chief of Army Staff congratulated the officers and other civilian staff and the Nigerian Army for achieving the remarkable feat but urged them to use their vast experience acquired for resolving security challenges in the country.
The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, described the submit as timely especially this period when insecurity become a threat to education.
Governor Tambuwal urged participants and the Nigerian Army to develop a framework that can checkmate insecurity and improve education in schools.
He reiterated his administration commitments to ensure effective synergy with security agencies to secure smooth learning across all the schools in the State.
The Governor challenged the Corps to give research more priority for sustainable education development.
The of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar the III, said the summit came at the right time in view of the security challenges which was affecting the education sector in the country.
“The summit was coming at the right time because of so many challenges in the country and in our education sector where so many of our children have become victims of banditry and other security issues,” he said
The Sultan, however, observed that the problem of this world not only In Nigeria is religious extremists.
“So many people turn religious versus upside down to suit them because they have not been properly guided on what should be the teachings, especially of the two major religions.“
PIAK
