From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said the House will strengthen the Armed Forces and other security agencies to to tackle complex security challenges bedeviling the country.
Abbas, who stated this, while speaking at the opening of a two-day post post inauguration retreat for members of the House Committee on Defence, in Abuja, said it is imperative to strengthen the capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, to enable them perform optimally.
The speaker stressed the need for
a comprehensive approach to national security, noting that the 10th House would continue to support the efforts of security agencies through adequate funding for provision of modern equipment, trainings and improving the welfare packages for security personnel.
He said this is to enable the Armed Forces and other security agencies tackle the various security challenges confronting the country, including terrorism and insurgency, herder-farmer conflicts, oil theft and unrest in the Niger Delta and separatist agitations in the South East.
According to him ,”these challenges have brought to the fore the need for a robust national security architecture that can effectively address these challenges. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of socioeconomic policies, effective governance, and community engagement.”
Abbas added strengthening the capacity House committees on security and defense was crucial to maintaining robust oversight and governance within the security sector. He explained that this is because committees played a vital role in conducting oversight and holding the security sector’s leadership accountable.
On his part, chairman, House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said the retreat was designed to equip members with the necessary tools in the performance of their legislative duties in the defence sector.
Benson noted that the committee had continued to interact with the defence establishment with a view to finding lasting solutions to the security challenges confronting the country.
The lawmaker explained that he has sponsored many bills, as part efforts to strengthen the Armed Forces. The bills, according to him, include the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Bill, Nigerian Armed Forces Support Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, Defence Research and Development Bureau Bill, Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill to establish a Space Force for the Armed Forces of Nigeria amongst others.