Retired Military Officers Still Needed to Combat Nigeria’s Security Challenges, Defence Minister Says
Nigeria still needs the expertise and experience of retired military officers to confront its security challenges, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle said.
Matawalle made the remarks on Saturday at a dinner in honour of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, organized by members of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 38 Regular Course Welfare Association.
“We cannot afford to lose their wealth of knowledge and experience,” Matawalle said. “They have a lot to offer in helping us to defeat the enemies of our nation,” he said.
He commended the association for honoring its member appointed defence chief and its continued efforts toward member and societal welfare.
Matawalle encouraged retired officers to continue to brainstorm on the challenges confronting the country with a view to providing workable solutions.
He assured them that the Ministry of Defence is ready to receive them as a group of expert thinkers to dialogue on issues of defence and security concerns in Nigeria.
“The ministry will ensure that the time of retired officers in retirement is pleasant and that their welfare will continue to be a priority, he noted.
Speaking, Gen. Musa thanked the association for celebrating and honouring him, and for their unwavering support and commitment to seeing him succeed as defence chief.
He said the event also signified the acknowledgement of the collective achievements and sacrifice of the nation’s armed forces through the unwavering dedication of the brave men and women in uniform that had been able to safeguard Nigeria’s peace and unity.
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Musa said that collaboration with Nigeria’s allies had become vital in addressing the complex challenges that it currently faced.
“Their training, intelligence sharing, and military cooperation had played a key role in enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian military and strengthening national defence,” Musa said.
The CDS expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Nigerian people for their unwavering support and trust in the armed forces.
He said that their belief in the capabilities of the military and their recognition of the services made by men and women in uniform were a constant source of inspiration.
“38RC Welfare Association had remained committed to the welfare and well-being of the society, adding that such initiatives had remained vital in fostering a strong bond between the military and civilian communities.
“The association had, through their generosity and compassion, touched the lives of many service members and their families”, he said.
The President of the RC38 Welfare Association, Maj.-Gen. Solomon Uduonwa, said that the event was organized to celebrate the association’s journey in the military, which began on Sept. 21, 1986, and to honor Gen. Musa, one of their most accomplished generals.
Uduonwa said that Gen. Musa had been recognized as a forerunner and the first among equals in the NDA, and that he had dazzled many with his sportsman capabilities.
He said that it was therefore no surprise that he had been chosen by the President, Commander-in-Chief, to lead the armed forces at this very challenging time.
The Chief of Defence Staff and his wife were also named the Patron and Patroness of the association, respectively.
By PRNigeria
