The House of Representatives has called for the setting up of a full-fledged Defence Space Force to adequately handle potential threats from cyber space and provide intelligence support to other services.
The lawmakers have also urged the Service Chiefs to effectively collaborate with sister security agencies to ensure that all security threats are completely neutralised, so that Nigerians can live peacefully.
The House ad-hoc committee screening the service chief nominees made these demands yesterday during the screening exercise with the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa and Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who were later joined by the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar.
Speaking before the screening went closed, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee Hon. Babajimi Benson said the 10th House will provide the necessary legislative framework to the current government in its quest to ensure that Nigerians live in peace.
Babajimi, a former chairman of the Committee on Defence, however said the House shall embark on rigorous oversight exercises, beginning from the screening, to ensure that the Armed Forces adhere strictly to the provisions of all Appropriation Acts.
“The world of security is dynamic and ever changing. New security threats are emerging across the globe. Today, wars are not only fought on the land, sea and air, but also in cyberspace. Consequently, the art of warfare must therefore be a step ahead. This is why Nigeria must tap into and harness the potential of having a Defence Space Force, like in the United States of America.”
The Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who is a member of Ad-hoc panel, said the screening was important to enable the lawmakers to understand the Service Chief’s plans towards tackling insecurity in the country.
“It is important we have this kind of engagement so we understand you better, know you better and carry your message directly to our people. I commend the president for the nominations. The men are ready to take relevant strategic national security issues forward.
“Looking through their profiles, I have no doubt these are men who have committed themselves to the stability, security and progress of Nigeria and the world at large,” Ihonvbere said.
Addressing the lawmakers, the Defence Chief, Musa said the Nigerian Armed Forces under him will defend the country’s territorial integrity and democracy as well as safeguard internal security and unity to achieve the stability required to guarantee sustainable national development.
Musa said he intends to achieve his mission-based leadership concept that hinges on three pillars which include being people-centric, prioritising troops’ welfare and deepening interagency collaboration.
On his part, the Army Chief, Lt-Gen Lagbaja, said under his leadership, the Nigerian Army shall work harmoniously with all other sub-governments to ensure Nigeria’s territories are secured.
Lagbaja said his philosophy of command is to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained and highly motivated force towards achieving its responsibility within a joint environment, even as he expressed intention to partner with the National Assembly and other stakeholders in achieving the goal.
“I am mindful that the Nigerian Army is a crucial component of our military instrument of national power. It is not only the largest but also the most complex, most geographically spread, most sought after during crisis and also often most misunderstood.
“I believe that for the Nigerian Army to grapple with the demands of the contemporary security environment, it must consistently transform to be a step ahead,” he stated.
