Abuja: The Senate has confirmed the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Upper Legislative Chamber confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after hours of a rigorous screening session in the Committee of the Whole, during which he was asked questions by the lawmakers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Musa, who had been in service for 39 years before his retirement, said that while he was the Chief of Defence Staff, it was a defining moment for him. He pledged to give his best to ensure that Nigeria is safe and emphasized the need for support from all Nigerians in the fight against terrorism.
Musa described the frequent abduction of students as very unfortunate, stating that despite the rollout of the Safe School Initiative last year, many schools remained highly vulnerable. He highlighted the absence of basic security infrastructure in many schools, such as perimeter fencing, leaving them exposed to potential threats.
Musa identified communication gaps as a major setback in preventing kidnappings and stressed the need to adopt technology that enhances information sharing and early response. He advocated for a whole-of-society approach, involving technology, the armed forces, the police, other security agencies, and the communities working together.
Answering a question posed by former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Musa pledged to ensure strict oversight of defence funds and emphasized that funds must be properly utilized to support the armed forces in carrying out their duties. He insisted that improved accountability would significantly enhance the military’s operational capacity.
Musa cautioned against placing all expectations on the armed forces, arguing that military operations alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s complex security challenges. He stated that effective policy and support from ministries, departments, and agencies are essential in addressing these issues.
On the late Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba, the minister expressed his determination to not allow terrorists to have their way and vowed to bring those culpable to justice. The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, commended Musa’s past achievements as Chief of Defence Staff, while the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, expressed confidence in Musa’s sense of duty and professionalism.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, urged Musa to take immediate action to assist the government in tackling the insecurity in the country and reiterated his stance against negotiating with terrorists.