The Federal Government has given assurance that it would continue to give security agencies in the country the necessary support they require to overcome the security challenges facing the country.
The reaffirmation was made by the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on behalf of the President, during his familiarization tour of Nigerian Navy facilities in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria.
With special focus on the Nigerian Navy, the Senator noted that most of the nation’s wealth in form of natural resources come from the maritime domain, and further stressed the Federal Government’s commitment to eradicate challenges that impede the efficiency of the Nigerian Navy.
Obanikoro noted that though the challenges of the Navy were many, inadequate funding appeared to be the most challenging of them. He assured that he would work to change the situation so that the Navy can live up to its primary responsibilities, especially given the current security situation in the country.
The Commanding Officer, Forward Operation Base, Ibaka, Navy Captain Kelechi Osuoji, who described the Minister’s visit as significant, expressed optimism that most of the challenges of the Navy in the zone would be addressed and reduced to barest minimum.
The Minister was accompanied by other security officers in the region, including the Commander of NNS JUBILEE, Ikot Abasi, Commodore Joel Ifeanyi Ogazi and the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Charles Medani among others.
Nigeria has been battling various security challenges ranging from militancy, piracy, Boko Haram insurgency, all of which constitute major threats to the country’s economy and internal infrastructural development.
The assurance by the Federal Government came shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for the approval of the National Assembly to borrow $1 billion (N162bn) to finance the war against insurgency.
