Beware Of Detractors, Forum Tells Defence Minister

A group under the auspices of Northwest Progressives Forum (NPF) has called on minister of Defence Governor, Mohammed Badaru, to be focused on his task and avoid distractions.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the group’s director of Strategic Communications, Adamu Isa, said in spite of the mixed reactions that followed Badaru’s choice as minister, President Tinubu deserves commendation, given the new minister’s trajectory.

“As Governor of Jigawa State, he received Security Reports every morning as the first item on his official menu. This was more so because the Chief Security Officer of Jigawa State. He cannot therefore be said to be a novice in modern governance and related issues of safety and security of citizens. Jigawa State today, is one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria,” the group argued.

Turning to the narrative that the new minister may find the job hard without being a train as a soldier, the group declared.”

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are suddenly peddling the narrative that the Minister has no military training are merely out to distract attention because a Nigerian Minister’s role is coordination of the activities of core professionals under his supervision.

“We recall that another former governor from the Northwest, Engr(Dr) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso held the same portfolio of Defence Minister and performed effectively and efficiently. This was more so because being a Minister is no rocket science,” Adamu argued.

The group expressed excitement over what it describes as news reports that “the new Minister of Defence has immediately swung into action as he is already assembling a team of experts to assist him in the discharge of this important assignment.”

Adamu explained that the effort by Badaru to assemble a team of experts was proof that the man knows his focus and “the correct team composition for effective and efficient delivery of his duties”.

The NPF also said “His Excellency Badaru is not new to the critical details of National Defence Policy, the guiding norm of the entire Defence Ministry, maintaining men of the Nigerian Armed Forces in a state of combat readiness on land, sea and air, maintaining a proper balance in arms and men to meet the needs of internal and external security;

“Making provision for the welfare of the men of the Armed Forces in terms of training, accommodation, health care and other benefits aimed at boosting their morale. Enhancing the capability and sophistication of the country’s Defence Industries in order to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign sources of supply.

“Ensuring security in the African continent by the promotion of a collective defence system through bilateral, sub-regional and continental co-operation to ward off external aggression and to attain the African objective of the national foreign policy

“Contributing towards peace and stability in the world as a whole through the United Nations, African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)”.

The group commended Tinubu for “considering a competent, patriotic person with proven track record of delivering on his assignments for decades.”

Adamu then declared: “Having done our independent checks and consultation with experts in modern military art and warfare, we are convinced that the appointment of His Excellency Mohammed Badaru as Minister of Defence is a game-changer, in the spirit of Renewed Hope.”