PHOTOS: Defence Ministers Meet Military Chiefs, officials of the Ministry
The newly inaugurated Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, mni, CON and the Minister for State Defence Dr. Bello Matawalle, CON, have taken over the Command of the Ministry of Defence.
This was sequel to their inauguration alongside other Ministers on Monday by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR at the State House.
Arriving the Ministry of Defence, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni was on hand to receive the two Ministers.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mohammad Abdulkadri who reported that the two helmsmen immediately inspected the quarter guard as part of the outdoor parades to signal the dawn of a new era in the anals of the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1958, two years before the Country’s independence.
The Permanent Secretary thereafter led the Ministers to the already filled to capacity conference room for the second ceremonial segment of their assumptions of office where the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, the Service Chiefs, the Chief of Defence Intelligence Maj Gen EPA Undiadeye as well as the Management staff were seated.
In his welcome address, Dr. Kana said the Ministry is lucky to have two high calibre former Governors as Defence Ministers.
He pledged unwavering support of the management and staff of the Ministry to the Ministers towards achieving the much desired successful tenure.
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In his brief remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa assured the Ministers of the loyalty of the Military in navigating their Areas of Responsibility in bringing lasting peace and tranquility to the nation.
Highlights of the assumption of office by the Ministers include signings and exchange of handover notes which was co-ordinated by the Permanent Secretary.
In their separate remarks the Ministers appreciated the trust and confidence reposed in them by President Bola Ahmed Timubu, GCFR N for saddling them with the responsibility of changing the narratives in the Defence sector in tandem with the Mantra of the “Renewed Hope”.
They rolled out plans towards finding lasting solutions to the nation’s security challenges and sought the backing of the Nigerian Armed Forces and indeed all Nigerians in the onerous tasks ahead.
The Ministers hit the grand running with the maiden sheduled meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Permanent Secretary after which they were conducted round the Ship House edifice on familiarisation tourr .
The Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, mni, CON, an accomplished industrialiist, was born on 29th December 1962. He bagged B.sc Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, attended National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS),Kuru and served as two – term Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 – 2023.
The Minister for State Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, CON, was the 5th Governor of Zamfara State from 2019 -2023. Born 54 years ago, precisely on 12th February, 1969, Matawalle, attended Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and he is an alumnus of the University of West London.
Between 2003 and 2015 he served as a member House of Representatives from 2019 to 2015.
