Military Transformed Beyond Fighting Force To National Economic Drivers – Minister

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris has stated that the Nigerian Military is being transformed from merely a fighting force into a self-sustaining powerhouse with strong footprints in manufacturing, banking, real estate, construction, and aviation. This will ensure lasting operational strength and improved welfare for personnel, both in service and retirement.
Idris stated this yesterday in Abuja, while commissioning the Defence Holdings Company Limited and its subsidiaries.

He said Nigerians have come to appreciate the military not just as the protectors of the nation’s sovereignty, but also as a reservoir of highly skilled professionals, including engineers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, economists, nurses, and more, who contribute meaningfully to national development beyond the battlefield.

The minister further noted that members of the Armed Forces have become effective communicators, mastering the use of soft power and excelling in public relations-driven non-kinetic strategies aimed at winning the hearts and minds of Nigerians.

“This event also brings to the fore the extensive footprints of the Nigerian Military as a driving force in manufacturing, banking, real estate, construction, weaponry, aviation, and other economic interests aimed at sustaining its operations and providing for its personnel in or out of office.

“Distinguished guests, we must recognise the value of the Nigerian Military not only as protectors of our national sovereignty, but also as highly skilled engineers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, economists, nurses, etc., and indeed as effective communicators who have mastered the art of soft power and are playing hard in the field of public relations-driven non-kinetic approaches to winning the hearts and minds of Nigerians,” he said.

The minister stated that President Tinubu’s vision is to reposition the Nigerian Military as a strategic asset in nation-building. He noted that the military safeguards national sovereignty and plays a vital role in securing the country’s borders against destabilising forces.

Idris commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for his untiring efforts in repositioning the Nigerian Military at a time of great challenges and for recognising the need to pool the military’s economic and human resources for the betterment of the country and the officers and men of the Nigerian Military.

“While I am always delighted to attend events associated with the Nigerian Military, this particular commissioning of the Defence Holdings Company Limited and its subsidiaries holds even a more significant value as a big step to aggregating the assets of the Nigerian Military industry in a way that conforms with established practices.

“I want to therefore commend the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa for his untiring efforts in repositioning the Nigerian Military at a time of great challenges, and for recognising the need to pool the economic and human resources of the military for the betterment of the country and the officers and men of the Nigerian Military,” he said.

The minister of information also used the occasion to urge the media to uphold national interest by demonstrating responsibility and professionalism, particularly by shunning fake news, misinformation, and disinformation in the course of their duties.

“The best way the media can support our Military is to embrace media and information literacy, which is the surest way to responsible journalism practice,” he said.