President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has insisted on strengthening indigenous manufacturing of military hardware, saying it is very crucial in enhancing Nigeria’s security and development.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja during the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College, the President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the College as a vivid representation of his administration’s commitment to building human capital in areas critical to our national survival.
“I must also commend the tradition of research excellence in this College. Your Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040 is a clear demonstration of this strength.
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“I have directed that relevant stakeholders study your recommendations and harvest the strategies you proposed, because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development,” the President declared.
He also expressed delight at the theme for the College’s Course 33, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” pointing out that the foundation of every successful society is strong and resilient institutions.
Noting that his administration has since made strong institutions a national priority, President Tinubu said, “They uphold the rule of law, safeguard citizens’ rights, promote accountability, and deliver essential services. In national security, they are the framework for managing conflict, countering threats, and building resilience against instability.
“In development, they ensure sound governance, effective planning, and the delivery of policies that serve the common good. This is why this administration has made institutional strengthening a national priority, and I trust that the knowledge you have acquired here will be deployed to fortify the institutions of Nigeria and of your respective nations.”
The President expressed firm belief that “without strong institutions there can be no lasting democracy,” stating that in pursuit of this conviction, his administration has taken bold steps to reposition the nation’s “economy for growth and shared prosperity.
“Today, there is renewed confidence in our economy, reflected in the nation’s rising business outlook. Today, even the stock market has grown by over forty-eight percent year on year, the best performance in almost three decades.
“While this reflects investor faith in our reforms, I acknowledge that we must continue to tackle inflation and food insecurity to ensure that this growth translates into real prosperity for every Nigerian,” he said.
President Tinubu implored the Course 33 graduands to join hands in delivering his administration’s renewed hope to Nigerians, just as he recalled that his pledge to the people is “to provide effective and creative leadership, and I call on you to be partners in the task of birthing the new Nigeria we all dream of.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral James Okosu, expressed confidence in the graduands’ abilities to deliver, stressing that the training programme is aimed, among others, at tackling several pertinent security challenges, including banditry and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
On his part, the Deputy Commandant of NDC, Major General Kevin Ukandu, explained that knowledge and skills were imparted to the participants in several areas, including defense management, strategy formulation, command, and geopolitics.