Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, welcomed members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the African Union (AU) Strategic Sealift Capacity at the Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday by Ahmad Dan-wudil, the Personal Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister, the meeting was scheduled for the committee to update the Honourable Minister on their significant achievements and outlined future strategies aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s role in AU peacekeeping efforts.
The statement reads;
“During the meeting, the Chairman of the committee, Amb. J.A. Iwejuo, provided an overview of the key achievements and emphasized the importance of ensuring that Nigeria remains a key player in supporting peacekeeping operations across the African continent.
“The Honourable Minister, Dr. Bello Matawalle, commended the committee for their dedication and strategic contributions, noting that sealift capacity is essential for national security and for maintaining Nigeria’s position as a leader in continental peace and security efforts.
“Dr. Matawalle reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s support for the committee’s future plans. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Nigeria’s maritime forces are well-equipped and ready to respond to strategic challenges, both regionally and globally.
“The Honourable Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to enhancing Nigeria’s role in the African Union’s peace and security initiatives. He reiterated that Nigeria will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing collective security efforts across Africa.
“As the committee continues its excellent work, Dr. Matawalle assured them of the Ministry’s ongoing support in achieving their goals and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to meeting the strategic objectives of the African Union”, the statement concluded.