We’ll focus, invest on the blue economy – Badaru

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, said on Wednesday that the Federal Government was focused on investing in the modernization of military equipment to guarantee the safety of citizens and foreigners.

Badaru said this in a statement issued by Mrs. Victoria Agba-Attah, Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, in his goodwill message at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference 2023.

The conference had as its theme “Crafting a Strategic Blueprint for Security and Prosperity”.

He said while investing in the modernization of military equipment, the government would also pay attention to the blue economy, unmanned spaces, and climate change.

Badaru, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, said that the Nigerian government, through the ministry, had invested a lot in providing equipment and platforms to address piracy.

He added that the International Maritime Bureau had declared that Nigeria had recorded less than two to five cases in the gulf of guinea.

According to him, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria are responsible for maintaining peace and stability, not just within the black and  brown waters but deep down into the blue waters.

“Indeed the government is redoubling its efforts by providing more platforms like ‘Falcon Eye’ as well as the deep blue project.

“The government has invested huge resources in these projects to address insecurity in not just the Niger Delta but the entire coastal areas of Nigeria,” he said.

Badaru also said that the Nigerian Navy had been active in fighting piracy, which had affected the economy of the country, particularly in the maritime area.

He further said that unmanned spaces had a significant impact on both the security and economy of the country.

He added that the country would invest in the unmanned spaces through agriculture in order to reduce insecurity in the country.

On defence and innovation, the minister said that the focus of the National Defence Policy was on the modernization of the Armed Forces.

He noted that the country was developing its local Military Industrial complex, which would ensure innovation and employment as well as fight insecurity.

“With the deployment of modernised military equipment, we will begin to say goodbye to insecurity in Nigeria”, he said.

Supreme News reports that the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by Rear Admiral M.K. Onubebe, were in attendance.

Others in attendance were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, who is the Chief of Administration, Army, and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mba.

His Royal Highness the Emir of Gumi, Justice Lawan Gummi, and Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Commander, Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun), were also among the other dignitaries present at the event.