Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd), has handed over the Ministry of Defence to the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana as the eight years administration of President Muhammadu Buhari winds down.
The brief handing and taking over ceremony held at the headquarters, Ministry of Defence in Abuja and was witnessed by management Staff, the Military and Civilian aids.
Documents containing details of the stewardship of General Magashi from the day he assumed the Command of the Ministry were formally signed and handed over to the administrative head, the Permanent Secretary to take charge as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
General Magashi, under whose tenure four Permanent Secretaries had served in successions appreciated the support of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar, the directors, staff and Ministerial aids for their vital roles in the success story of his eventful, peaceful and successful four years in office.
He appreciated the support of the Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, the cooperation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Service Chiefs for their patriotic service in defending the nation’s territorial integrity under his supervision.
The Minister also appreciated the heads of military institutions and agencies under the ministry for their loyalty and service to the nation.
He put it on record that his journey of service as the Honourable Minister of Defence has bequeathed legacies of accountability and prudency in managing public funds as well as entrenched Operational harmony among the services as well as improved capabilities of the fighting forces, various reforms, improved staff welfare, trainings among others.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Kana congratulated the Minister for successfully concluding his tour of duty, repositioning the Ministry and leaving it better than he met it four years ago.
Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) assumed the Area of Responsibility of the Ministry of Defence which was established in 1958 as its 24th Chief Executive on August 21 2019 at the inception of the second term of the eight year tenure of the Commander-in- Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.
