- Safiu Kehinde
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), as the new Minister of Defence.
NPO Reported that President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday appointed and forward the name of the ex-CDS to the Senate for approval following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru.
Musa’s appointment was however approved after tense screening by the Senate on Wednesday.
The former Army Chief had fielded several questions from the lawmakers in the course of the screening.
In address before the red chamber, Musa harped on the need to foster unity and oneness within the armed forces and other security forces.
He also called on all Nigerians to shelve their ethical and religious differences by putting hands together to defeat the terrorists.
The ex-CDS further called for a tightened security around the country’s border, warning that the Sahel is currently heating up.
Musa highlighted some of his plan on how to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity challenge as the Defence Minister.
He disclosed plan to utilise technology and foster togetherness between the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He also pledged to ensure effective utilisation of funds allocated to Ministry.
“With technology, working together with the Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies, and the communities, I think that is where the gap has been, we will be able to address that properly.
“I will be able to also secure these children and to stop issues of kidnapping all over the country.
“One basic area we are also going to look at is the accountability of the Armed Forces. Whatever fund is being made, we want to make sure that the funds are properly utilised.
“And I think that is very critical so that we can make sure that whatever it is we are getting are things that will help us and assist us and the members of the Armed Forces in carrying out their action.” The ex-CDS said.