The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has affirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s administration to revitalize and reposition Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The aim is to enable the company to produce military hardware, bolstering Nigeria’s capacity to combat insecurity.

This commitment was emphasized during a meeting at Ship House, Abuja, where the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr. Sumaila Abdul Akaba, were received.

Badaru highlighted the company’s history of local military hardware production and stressed the imperative of partnering with the Ministry of Steel Development. He noted that 80/90% of the materials required for military hardware production are steel-based.

Strengthening the company’s capacity for local military hardware production would significantly enhance the nation’s security amidst ongoing crises, Badaru asserted.

To actualize this revitalization, the Minister directed the establishment of a Technical Committee. Its mandate includes determining production specifics, required raw materials, revival costs, and potential funding sources. He urged members, including the Permanent Secretary, the Director-General of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, to deliver a comprehensive report within two weeks.

Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the Minister of Steel Development, expressed optimism about Ajaokuta Steel’s revival, citing past financial constraints causing production delays. He projected a revival within the first four years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration if initiatives were put in place.

Highlighting the company’s potential, Audu noted its 48 production units, including a dedicated unit for military hardware. He emphasized that collaboration with the Ministry of Defence could enhance the company’s capability to meet Nigeria’s military hardware needs.

Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, emphasized the meeting’s goal: to chart a step-by-step approach to realizing Ajaokuta Steel’s revival within the next four years.

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has expressed his appreciation to the United Nations Office on Drugs and crimes on their Counter terrorism efforts with the Nigeria military.

The Minister made the commendation when he received the Representative of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Oliver Stolpe, in his office at Ship House, Abuja.

This was contained in an address made available to newsmen by Henshaw Ogubike, mnipr, the Director of Press and PR of the Ministry of Defence. The Minister emphasized that Nigeria welcomes any effort that would help in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Thank you for doing a good job in Maiduguri. We will give you maximum cooperation needed to sustain the fight against Boko Haram and other criminal activities in Nigeria.

On the rehabilitation of the repentant Boko Haram members, the Minister said in addition to what they have done, there was the need for a Monitoring program to ensure that the released Boko Haram members are fully integrated back to the society.

The Minister expressed gratitude for UNODC’s continuous support in strengthening Nigeria’s Counterterrorism capacity to combat terrorism.
In his address Mr. Stolpe pointed out that the UNODC is collaborating with Nigerian Armed Forces in area of counter- terrorism and Maritime security.

Mr. Stolpe further explained that the UNODC in partnership with Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Maiduguri, Borno State has successfully reviewed over 2,900 case files leading to 2,400 prisoners released.

The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has asserted that the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has undertaken comprehensive efforts to combat terrorism and other criminal activities, aiming to restore normalcy across the nation, particularly in the North East geopolitical zone.

This statement was made during the recent book launch by the Nigerian Air Force, titled: ‘Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in North East Nigeria: Emerging Perspectives and the Imperative of Airpower’ held in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and PR of the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike.

Highlighting the Ministry of Defence’s central role in safeguarding national security, Minister Badaru emphasized its pivotal contribution in coordinating the Armed Forces and implementing effective counter-terrorism strategies.

He also stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach that combines military precision with socioeconomic initiatives to address the root causes of radicalization.

Speaking on the title of the Book launched, Badaru said that in a bid to pursue a whole society approach to the issue of terrorism, the book was developed by leveraging strong partnership between Nigerian Air Force and the academia.

Minister Badaru applauded the book’s production, emphasizing its importance as a valuable resource for policymakers, military strategists, and scholars to gain insights into the evolving nature of terrorism in Nigeria and explore the critical role of airpower in the nation’s counter-terrorism efforts.

The Minister underscored the need for collaborative efforts among intergovernmental organizations, including the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and others, to address the root causes and manifestations of terrorism in the Sahel region, which has emerged as a hub for terrorist activities posing a significant threat to regional stability.”

The Special guest of Honour, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, represented by Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, emphasized that the book launch was not merely an academic exercise but a call to action, serving as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to combat terrorism and safeguard the lives and freedoms of our fellow citizens.

The Governor of Bornu State, Professor Babagana Umara Zullum who was in attendance appreciated the Armed Forces for exhibiting professionalism, synergy and commitments to ending insurgency.

The host, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar noted that the book was developed in collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and Babcock University to serve as a guiding light for policy makers, military strategists and practitioners in formulating holistic solutions that go beyond the realm of military operations.

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, expressed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to deepened Defence cooperation with Bulgaria.

Badaru disclosed this when he received the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov in Ship House, Abuja on Tuesday, 14th November 2023.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Press of the Ministry, Henshaw Ogubike mnipr.

He said that considering the level of Bulgarian Defence Industry, the Ministry of Defence will cooperate with Bulgaria in areas of information and intelligence sharing, equipment production as well as military training.

Addressing the aspect of military equipment, the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s Defence Industry Corporation (DICON) would engage in a strategic partnership with Bulgaria to facilitate technology transfer, ensuring alignment with global standards.

Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Bulgaria will be signed to facilitate robust military cooperation.

On the upcoming Military Exhibition scheduled for June 2024in Bulgaria, the Minister assured the attendance of a delegation from Nigeria’s Defence Ministry. He highlighted the importance of this participation, stating, “Our presence will facilitate learning from the Bulgarian Government’s methodologies in Military hardware production.”

Bulgarian Ambassador Yanko Yordanov highlighted the longstanding mutual military relationship between Bulgaria and Nigeria, spanning decades. He emphasized that the Military Exhibition would enhance Nigeria’s understanding of Bulgarian Military equipment production, further strengthening bilateral relations.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has affirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to enhancing staff welfare through the provision of incentives fostering happiness and commitment to their duties.

This statement was made during the commissioning of three state-of-the-art 30-seater buses on Tuesday, 14th November 2023, at Ship House.

Dr. Kana, speaking at the commissioning, emphasized that these buses were provided to bolster staff welfare, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8 Point Renewed Hope Agenda and to implement the Federal Civil Service Strategic and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) reforms.

In addition, the Permanent Secretary said that the buses would ease transportation logistics that will contribute to a positive and motivated workforce.

“As we celebrate this milestone, the Ministry reiterates its commitments to supporting the welfare and professional growth of the staff,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude for the unwavering dedication of staff to work, saying to whom much is given, much is expected. Dr. Kana further stated that log book would be attached to the well trained drivers in order to ensure maintenance and sustainability of the bus scheme which he hopes will continue to increase in numbers.

The highlight of the event included a test run of one of the buses by the Permanent Secretary, signaling the official commissioning of the well-equipped 30-seater buses for staff use.

Badaru disclosed this when he received the Minister of Interior on a courtesy visit to Ship House Abuja on Tuesday, 14th November 2023.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and PR of the Ministry, Henshaw Ogubike, mnipr.

The Minister highlighted the Ministry’s achievements in combating insecurity and expressed readiness to join forces with the Ministry of Interior to eliminate the country’s security challenges.

“The Ministry is ever ready to work with your Ministry in solving the security challenges bedeviling our country, we will succeed if we work with you and you will succeed if you work with us,” he said.

The Minister directed that a technical committee be set up between the two Ministries to forge ahead on areas of collaboration in tackling the security challenges in the country.

In an earlier statement, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubumi Tunji Ojo, stressed the need for synergy between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence to tackle internal security issues in Nigeria.

He noted that the reality on ground is not the same as in 15 years ago. “To curb the current security situation on ground now, we have to come together like never before and device means of tackling insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.

He also explained that securing our land, sea and air boarders would enhance our nation’s security and that: “A country with a save boarder is a save nation. If you cannot secure your boarders, you cannot secure your nation,” he said.

I urge the Ministry of Defence to acknowledge that the agencies in the Ministry of Interior play a crucial role in internal security. Collaboration is essential,” he added
Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, echoed the call for synergy in his welcome address. He highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8 Point Agenda, emphasizing the need for cooperation among ministers and ministries to fulfill the administration’s mandates.

The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has emphasized the significance of Defence Diplomacy and regional collaboration within the framework of International law for bolstering national security during the opening ceremony of the CHIEF OF DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE Annual Conference 2023 in Abuja.

This was contained in a release made available to newsmen by the Director of Press and PR of the Ministry of Defence Henshaw Ogubike,mnipr.

He said the Defence Attache system is a veritable Defence Management for solving many problems of a nation, stressing that Nigeria must rise to the occasion and lead the way in these efforts.

“In doing so, I urge you, the participants to respect principle of sovereign equality and non- interference in internal affairs of other nations. You must emphasize cooperation rather that competition and act within the confines of international law,” he charged them.

Furthermore on Diplomacy, he said that for any country’s defence strategy to succeed, it must recognize the critical role of diplomacy in reducing military risks as well as fostering shared understanding for enhanced national security.Badaru therefore urged the Defence Attache / Advisers who are the participants of the conference to pay attention to the global and regional challenges as diplomats and continue to positively represent the DIA, the Ministry of Defence and the nation in general.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Muhammed Bello Matawalle MON, in his address encouraged participants to use the conference to develop strategies enhancing security, politics, economics, and diplomacy efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He urged Defence Attaches/Advisers to build strong relationships with host countries’ Defense establishments.In his remarks the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, outlined the annual conference’s objective as a platform to review progress, address challenges, and strategize for the future,

He assured continued government efforts in maintaining a robust Defence Management and security apparatus.Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni, stressed the importance of implementing recommendations from the previous year’s conference to address conflicts and sustain peace, as the nation is witnessing disturbing conflicts of different magnitude from the North East, North West and South East to other African Countries.

He called on Defence Attaches to contribute to Defence Diplomacy Management for intelligence gathering and sharing.Earlier the CHIEF OF DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE, Major General EAP Undiandeye, highlighted the 2023 conference theme, “Leveraging Defence Diplomacy and Effective Regional Collaboration for Enhanced National Security,” in response to West African and African developments.

He said that the Military onslaught against insurgents is evident in the massive surrender of the Boko Haram, Islamic State West African Province Terrorists and the containment of the Lake Chad Region.”Similarly, intensified anti banditry operations in the North West and North Central Zones are yielding the desired results,” he said.

The CDI said that there is the need to sustain the collaborative efforts at all levels of Defence diplomacy in order to consolidate the records gained.He called on the Defence Advisers and Attaches to live up to expectations saying that their roles were key in ensuring effective regional collaboration in order to strengthen mechanisms to address identified threats.