New Ministers - Leading Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces

The ministry of Defence is a Ministry that is pivotal to the survival and well being of the nation and therefore requires technically sound minds. 

The Ministry is sadled with the responsibility of leading and coordinating the nation's Armed Forces as they fight insurgency, banditry, oil Bunkering and all forms of aggression to national stability. 

It therfore becomes imparative for the President and commander in Chief of Armed Forces to appoint capable hands to handle this sensitive Ministry. Whether or not the choice of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru as Minister of Defence and Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle as Minster State are right, will be revealled by how they handled the Ministry in the years to come. 

DEFENCE MINISTERS RESUME OFFICE, 

After Alhaji Mohammed Badaru and Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle were unveiled and sworn in by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Defence and the Service Chiefs recieved them at the Headquarters Ministry of Defence, Abuja. 

On this official Day of resumption they met with the Service Chiefs and Ministry officials where the signing of Handing and Taking Over Notes took place. The assumption of office by the two ministers began with a brief ceremony in military fashion with the mounting and inspection of Quarter Guard, introduction of Sevice Chiefs, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Ministry officials. 

MAIDEN ADDRESSES TO MINISTRY 

Speaking in his maiden address to the Ministry and Service Chiefs, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru said from now on, he will 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.

"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"

"And 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" stated Minister of Defence.

The Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, said the dedication of the Armed Forces must be acknowledged, even though security challenges persist. He equally acknowledged that the task ahead is not an easy one but with the support of stakeholders, it can be done.

"We have resolved to adop a multi facedted 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 efforst 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" stated Dr. Bello.

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 the Ministers as the issues of security are largely in the North East and North West.

He pointed out 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.

In a remark on behalf of the Service Chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa emphasized the responsibility that rest upon the shoulders of the Ministry and the Defence Chiefs to restore peace, security and tranquility in Nigeria.

General Christopher Musa who assured the ministers of their loyalty pointed out that, the agencies have been working in synergy with sister services like never before as they remain dedicated and open with the commitment to making Nigeria tranquil.