….Nigerian military being transformed into self-sustaining powerhouse –Idris
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has restated the commitment of the armed forces of Nigeria to indigenous production of military equipment.
Speaking Wednesday at the commissioning of Defence Holdings Company Limited in Abuja, the CDS said the company would improve innovation, self-reliance and economic diversification in the defence sector.
He said : “It is established based on the need to coordinate business activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards improved innovation, self-reliance and economic diversification in the defence sector. Considering the existence of similar establishments across the Services, Defence Headquarters would serve as a platform for unified strategic direction in terms of harnessing local resources, providing guidance for indigenous defence production, as well as identifying key sectors for public–private partnerships.”
Musa said the company will contribute to national security and improve the welfare and lives of military personnel and their families.
“The Company, through its subsidiaries, will contribute immensely to national security and development by leveraging available human and material resources to facilitate our technological advancement.
“The Defence Holding Company will also improve indigenous defence production while engaging in other viable commercial ventures beneficial to our economic growth as a Nation,” he said
In his remarks, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, who was the Special Guest of Honour, described the commissioning of the company as another milestone in the armed forces quest for a viable military industrial complex.
According to him, “The holding company is more than just a collection of businesses; it is a platform for innovation, catalysts for growth and beacon of hope for a brighter future.
“As we move forward, it is our hope that the company will meet the expectation of our national aspiration as also thrive to create value, drive growth and make positive impact in our desire to achieve the most expected military industrial complex which is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.”
He said the company will also shape the military’s contribution to the economic development of Nigeria.
“We are not just commissioning a new company; we are embarking on a journey that shapes the future of military contribution to our economic development and our non-kinetic efforts
“It will also contribute to the welfare of our personnel of the armed forces of Nigeria in various ways.”
Also speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Nigerian military is being transformed from just a fighting force into a self-sustaining powerhouse with strong footprints in manufacturing, banking, real estate, construction and aviation thereby ensuring lasting operational strength and welfare for personnel, both in service and in retirement.
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.