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DHQ establishes Joint Doctrine and Welfare Centre
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Government has commended members of the armed forces for their loyalty, bravery, and determination to keep the country united despite the atrocities of some selfish and disgruntled politicians to destabilise the peace of the nation.
The FG has also thanked members of the armed forces for defending the nation’s democracy with the last drop of its blood by protecting her territorial integrity and maintaining law and order in the country. National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, made this known at the inauguration of the Joint Doctrine and Welfare Centre Nigeria, established by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in Abuja.
He said that but for the bravery, resilience, and determination of the military, who have played a crucial role in curbing the various security challenges, there would have been no Nigeria for people to live in and carry out their legitimate businesses.
The NSA, while noting that the security situation in the country had improved tremendously with the efforts of the military since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over power in 2023, said, “Terrorists and insurgents are being defeated, which signals a significant improvement in the security landscape. The country has faced challenges that could have ‘brought down’ other nations, but Nigeria remains resilient.”
The NSA, who maintained that several reforms and changes had happened under President Bola Tinubu over the past two years, said there was a new sense of freedom, where Nigerians can move freely across parts of the country like Kaduna and Lokoja, areas that were once too dangerous for travel. This, according to him, marks a tangible success in improving the safety and security of everyday life for Nigerians.
The NSA acknowledges that while the country is far from perfect, the government’s ability to address and reverse negative situations was improving. He dismissed the claims that large parts of the country were in captivity or were unsafe, adding that they were negative narratives that might be perpetuated by critics or even politicians. He said, “Citizens, especially in rural areas, are benefiting from the reforms. Farmers are returning to their farms, businesses morning, and clinics are opening up. These tangible signs of improvement make a real difference in people’s daily lives.”
He said the establishment of the Centre would go a long way to shape the future of the Nigerian military, characterised by enhanced collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking to strengthen their capabilities and effectiveness. He called on the services to embrace the spirit of innovation, teamwork, and collaboration, as well as embark on the idea and concept of practising ‘jointness’, which he noted is based on the fact that developments in modern warfare have shown that jointness is the way forward. “Let us harness the potential of this centre to drive progress, address complex challenges, and shape the future of our armed forces. As we move forward, it is our hope that this centre will meet the expectations of our national aspirations, drive innovation, and make a positive impact on our desire to advance our military in line with the renewed hope agenda of this administration,” he added.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, while calling for a unified approach to address complex security threats, said that no single service or organisation can effectively tackle the security challenges in the country alone. The CDS, while noting that the new centre would serve as a hub for developing, refining, and codifying doctrines that guide joint operations, fostering an environment of continuous learning, critical thinking, and inter-service dialogue, also said that other security agencies would be involved in the centre’s activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing security threats.
He said, “As we have seen firsthand, no single service or security organisation can effectively address the multifaceted threats we face. The battles we face must be fought in joint domains, requiring seamless collaboration, shared understanding, and a common strategic vision. Accordingly, this centre is our answer to that imperative and in line with the key aspects of my leadership concept, which is jointness.”