The Ministry of Defence and the Service Chiefs have received the new heads of the Ministry, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru and the Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle.
The reception and signing of Handing and Taking Over Notes held at the Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, Abuja, the Nation’s Capital, began with a brief ceremony in military fashion with the mounting and inspection of Quarter Guard by the new ministers.
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence and the Service Chiefs including Chief of Defence Intelligence proceeded to the Minister’s Conference Hall.
Speaking in his maiden address to the Ministry and Service Chiefs, Alhaji Badaru said from now on, he would require the Service Chiefs to give a time line, targets and their requirements on how to solve security problems in the country.
The timeline and targets according to him “will be passed to the President whom he believes does not have the patients to work with lazy people and will be monitoring the ministry closely.”
Alhaji Badaru said; “Within a year or so we will have a remarkable change in the security architecture of this country and I believe it is doable and I believe it is possible. We will do our best to rid the nation of insecurity, as politicians we cannot afford not to succeed, we are not ready to fail this time and we’ll not fail. The President is a goal setter an achiever and a thinker, a micromanager and he will be on our neck to deliver.
“The Service Chiefs will have to forgive me if I cross the command channel, the President cannot be betrayed, we have to deliver for the sake of our country we know without security there will be no investment, without security there will be no economic growth, even our food security is threatened as farmers cannot farm their lands, this must be stopped as the President is ready to give us all the support.”
“I will add that we’ll cooperate with all the security agencies in the country, we will soon start a monthly meeting with all the security agencies and their ministers to have complete cooperation amongst ourselves on how to solve the security challenges in this country,” the Minister of Defence said..
The Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle said the dedication of the Armed Forces must be acknowledged, even though security challenges persist.
He equally acknowledged that the task ahead was not an easy one but with the support of stakeholders, it can be done.
Dr Matawalle said; “We have resolved to adopt a multi faced approach, we will acquire cutting edge technology to enhance our defence capability, we must address the root cause of insecurity through creation of jobs, collaborate with relevant agencies, engaging the civil society.
“Welfare and training of Personnel, enhance coordination among security agencies in our effort in combating insecurity challenges, working also with regional bodies to counter cross border terrorism. The Ministry will spare no efforts in insuring the country is safe.”
Speaking before handing over of the Ministry’s notes to the Minister, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana applauded Mr. President’s careful selection of the Ministers as the issues of security are largely in the North East and North West.
He said that “security and stability is important for any nation to grow while expressing confidence in the ability of the Minister of Defence and State to provide good leadership to the Ministry.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa emphasised the responsibility that rest upon the shoulders of the Ministry and the Defence Chiefs to restore peace, security and tranquility in Nigeria.
General Musa who assured the Ministers of their loyalty said that the agencies have been working in synergy with sister services like never before as they remained dedicated and open with the commitment to making Nigeria tranquil.
Highlights of the event was the Signing of Handing and Taking over notes as well as group photographs.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
