The Minister of State Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has stated that the security of the nation is a collective responsibility that requires the active involvement of all citizens, communities and stakeholders.
He made the statement when the National Forum of Former Legislatures paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja today.
The Minister informed that safeguarding the nation goes beyond the efforts of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces alone but depends greatly on public cooperation, timely intelligence sharing and community vigilance.
He acknowledged that managing national security is a complex task especially in the light of evolving threats across different parts of the country.
According to him, “Public concerns and criticisms are understandable within a democratic society, the importance of situating these challenges within their proper historical and operational context is paramount.”
He said that under the current administration, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, continues to confront these security challenges through renewed strategies, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, operations and sustained capacity building.
These efforts are aimed at protecting lives and securing communities, he added.
Matawalle reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security through sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government and noted that addressing Nigeria security challenges requires a holistic approach that combines kinetic operations and non kinetic strategies such as intelligence sharing and effective legislative oversight.
He stressed the need for the experience and institutional knowledge of former Legislatures in shaping policies that promote peace, stability and national cohesion.
The minister commended the forum for its continued interest in national security matters and assured them of the ministry’s readiness to work closely with them and relevant institutions to ensure a safer and secure Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Honourable Raphael Nnanna Ibekwe, said that they are in the ministry to identify with its giant strides and are aware of the challenges being faced by the ministry and also that security is a collective responsibility.
He said they are using this opportunity to call on Nigerians to support the ministry, the government and security agencies in making sure that emergency security threats are flushed out.
According to him, they are urging the Ministry to remain focused on its mandate in discharging the Agenda of the President.
He pledged that they are on the visit to lend themselves to the ministry in any way they can be of assistance in making sure that Nigeria is a secure place especially in the non kinetic approaches as they have capable hands within them, such as security experts who can be of immense assistance.
They encouraged the Minister of State to do better and that this day they have come to identify with him because of his credentials before now.
