President Bola Tinubu says national security remains the fundamental bedrock required to achieve Nigeria’s economic ambitions and lasting prosperity.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja during the graduation ceremony for participants of National Defence College Course 34, the Nigerian leader, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, maintained that strengthening the nation’s armed forces and neutralizing criminal elements, bandits, and terrorists remain central to the government’s focus.
President Tinubu noted that the current administration’s views safety and the protection of lives as the fundamental thus, the broader economic plan focuses on stabilizing macro-economic fundamentals, boosting local industry, and attracting foreign investment.
“Our economic ambitions accompany the duty to secure our people. The Armed Forces and security agencies continue to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy and organized criminality with courage and professionalism.
“Government will provide equipment, training, resources and institutional support for their constitutional duties. Peace creates room for enterprise, and enterprise enlarges the citizen’s stake in peace. When communities recover security, opportunity must follow, because stability grows where people can work, trade, learn and hope,” he stated.
President Tinubu explained that “Africa’s security will increasingly depend on productive economies, regional value chains, innovation, and industries capable of employing its young population.”
Prosperous Africa
As the African Continental Free Trade Area deepens economic integration, President Tinubu stressed the need for industrialisation to drive inclusive growth, reduce structural vulnerability and strengthen Africa’s bargaining power.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa.
President Tinubu outlined the reforms being pursued under the Renewed Hope Agenda to build a productive, diversified and competitive economy.
He said; “the Nigerian Government was improving the business environment, encouraging private investment, promoting local value addition and expanding infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, energy and digital connectivity.
“These investments reduce costs, connect markets and reinforce national integration. We are strengthening capacity in agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, technology and defence industry. Sovereignty acquires substance when a nation can absorb shocks, meet essential needs and defend its interests.”
To the graduands of the National Defence College Course 34, President Tinubu reminded them that the course “reflects the breadth required by modern statecraft, drawing participants from the Armed Forces, Police, public institutions and friendly nations.”
He lauded the international participants’ confidence and advised the graduands to ensure their forged networks deepen cooperation, understanding, peace, and development across Africa and beyond.
The Nigerian leader congratulated the graduands on their discipline, curiosity and resilience, urging them to carry the college’s values of excellence, courage, patriotism and integrity.
Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, said; “the presence of the President at the graduation ceremony was in acknowledgement of his administration’s commitment to strategic leadership development and national security.”
He noted that the participants had, in the past 47 weeks, undergone intensive and rigorous training programme comprising research, field tours and seminar presentations, focusing on contemporary security and developmental challenges as well as high level defence management.
The commandant said “the participants are expected to translate their experience and knowledge gained during the programme into tangible solutions confronting various sectors of the Nigerian economy.”
The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the 103 participants, comprising 33 from the Nigerian Army; 20 from the Nigeria Navy; 9 from the Nigeria Air Force; 4 from the Police; 17 from MDAs, and 20 international participants, as well as awards to deserving participants.
