Nigerian Military, One Of The Best Trained In The World - Minister
ABUJA, September 03, (THEWILL) – Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada has described The Nigerian Military as one of the best trained in the world, and commended their involvement in internal security operations aimed at surmounting acts of insurgencies by the Boko Haram Islamist sect.
Obada was speaking with State House correspondents on Monday after briefing President Goodluck Jonathan on the performance of her ministry on the 2012 budget implementation.
She also assured that the extent of involvement of soldiers in internal security matters has no serious implications on their preparedness or commitment to defending the country against any form of external threat.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces, as you are aware, are taking part in some operations within the country. Fortunately for us in Nigeria, we do not have any threats from outside; we are at peace with all our neighbours,” she said.
“The problem we have is internal security and because of that, we have various joint task forces. They are to assist us in ensuring that illegal bunkering, oil theft, piracy, and all kinds of illegalities are brought to the barest minimum.”
Continuing, she said, “The Nigerian Military is one of the best trained in the world, always combat-ready; and I can assure you that we have the officers and men to address any external threats at any point in time. Yes, we are ready at any point in time if anybody wants to provoke us.
“We must give kudos to our men in uniform in the Armed Forces of Nigeria for taking part in all these internal security arrangements, because it got to a point that they just had to be brought in. You can imagine what would have happened if they had not been part of the arrangement for the internal security that we have. So, we must appreciate their efforts and contribution.”
Speaking on the ministry’s budget 2012 performance level, Obada disclosed that N45bn (95 per cent already utilized) was budgeted for capital projects out of the N12.5bn allocated to the ministry.
“We then say that the percentage of funds utilised from the amount released was 95.4 per cent while the percentage of the funds released from the annual budget is 27.6 per cent,” she added.
She listed some of the projects listed for 2013 to include: construction of garrison command accommodation for officers and soldiers by the Defence Headquarters, provision of life support and ambulance boats, upgrade of aircrafts, Charley and C130, establishment of a quick-response force by the Nigerian Air Force, construction of command headquarters, construction of barracks accommodation for the new mobility command in Yenegoa by the Air Force, and construction and furnishing of additional cadet hostel at the permanent site Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna amongst others.