I will do all within my powers to equip, arm military – Tinubu

He emphasized the “importance of strategic leadership in tackling the complex security and development challenges” facing Nigeria.

According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), President Tinubu made this commitment today during the graduation ceremony of Course 32 participants at the National Defence College, Abuja.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President expressed concern over the state of infrastructure at the National Defence College’s permanent site in Piwoyi, Abuja.

He acknowledged that while his administration has made considerable progress, more work remains to be done at the institution.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing ongoing work and upgrading the facilities at the permanent site.

In his address, the President vowed to ensure the nation’s armed forces are well-armed and equipped. “Under my leadership, members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have made tremendous sacrifices and achieved significant successes in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and safeguarding the lives and property of our citizens,” Tinubu said.

“I will continue to use all my constitutional powers to ensure that the Nigerian military is well-resourced and fit for purpose.”

President Tinubu commended the graduates of Course 32 for their contributions to his research, which aims to provide “strategic options for harnessing the mining industry in Nigeria to enhance national security and development.”

“We are already implementing the fundamentals of your recommendations as we work towards realizing our golden era scenario with substantial security assets supported by robust collaboration and institutional reforms,” he added.

The President lauded the National Defence College’s approach to consolidating knowledge through what he described as “a broad thematic area,” noting that it has helped in finding “sustainable solutions to national security and development challenges in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.”

Tinubu highlighted some of the significant progress made by his administration in addressing the nation’s challenges, including the implementation of a new national minimum wage, which, he noted, would benefit both civilian workers and personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.

He also mentioned the ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

“I have directed the Defence Headquarters and other security agencies to curb the menace of crude oil theft as soon as possible. This will enhance oil and gas production and support our desired economic stability,” Tinubu said.

“We are committed to creating an enabling business environment that promotes value addition in our mining sector. We are working with international partners to develop strategies that will harness this sector’s potential for national security and development.”

President Tinubu urged the graduates of Course 32 to uphold the values of excellence, courage, patriotism, and integrity, and to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to address the myriad challenges facing Nigeria.

Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, noted that the 111 graduates would contribute to Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its strategic leadership across various sectors.

“Our mission is to develop future strategic leaders equipped with the necessary knowledge and analytical skills to harness the instruments of national power in a dynamic defense and security environment,” he said.

The Course 32 graduates included representatives from national agencies and institutions, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security, and various ministries.

The class also featured 19 international participants from countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and Ghana, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to fostering global cooperation in defense and security matters.

Dignitaries at the graduation ceremony included the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, among many others.