DEFENCE MINISTER, MAJOR GENERAL BASHIR SALIHI MAGASHI ASSURES ON OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

The Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) has expressed determination to change the Modus Operandi of the Ministry of Defence to fast track attainment of set goals, vision and mission.

Retired General Magashi stated this when fielded questions from the State House correspondent after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa Abuja.
He highlighted some issues raised in the course of the Virtual Session which was the third in the series to include the size of the Manpower in the Military and the strong need to improve funding of the Ministry of Defence which is statutorily saddled to provide administrative and support services to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Minister told the State House Press Crew that His presentation discussed, dissected and diagnosed the successes and challenges of each of the Military Operations ranging from Operation Lafia Dole in the North East to Operation Tawase, all in aid to Civil Authority towards maintaining internal peace and harmony.

While appreciating the contributions made on the floor of the Chamber by Members of FEC, he said changes are imminent in the conduct of the affairs in the Ministry of Defence as catalyst to improving service delivery as well as to equip, train and maintain high professional standards in tandem with global best practice.

The Minister expressed optimism that the challenges of the funds and Manpower facing the Nation’s Defence Sector are surmountable adding that they will soon be a thing of the past.

The Minister of Defence was among the Seven Ministers who had physical presence in the Chamber while his counterparts participated from their various offices in compliance with Federal Government’s directive on “Social distancing policy” to curtail the spread of COVID-19.