THE Nigerian military is seeking for more collaboration with the media in addressing security challenges, especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Director of Defence Information, Major-General Jimmy Akpor, speaking during his courtesy visit to Abuja Bureau of Nigerian Tribune, reaffirmed the determination of the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to maintain peace and defend the country.
Akpor was accompanied by Commodore Muhammed Wabi, Group Captain Emmanuel Iheoma and Major Sani Uba.
He particularly commended the Nigerian Tribune for the support overtime, saying this informed the choice of the Newspaper as one of the media houses being visited to seek more partnership in securing the country.
According to him, Section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers the military to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and to also keep the borders safe from violation among other responsibilities, adding that the Armed Forces have been carrying out these roles very effectively in the North-East, North-West and North Central, South-East, South-South, securing oil infrastructure and also in the South-West.
“We have come to continue to seek your support in ensuring that you nurture our image and also to project our activities for us to continue to have the public support that is necessary for us to do better in securing Nigeria. That you have been doing so well and we are here to continue to seek your continued support in that regard,” he said.
He said he felt it was necessary to come physically to present himself to the leadership of Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, as “stakeholders in ensuring a peaceful nation where we could all live our dreams.”
In his response, the Deputy Bureau Chief, Mr Jacob Segun Olatunji, who received the delegation on behalf of the Abuja Bureau Chief, Dr Leon Usigbe, commended the new Director of Defence Information for taking time to visit Nigerian Tribune office to seek more support in coverage reportage of military’s activities.
He appreciated the efforts security forces are making in the war against insurgents, saying the military has recorded successes, especially in the North Eastern part of the country.
He assured the delegation that the Nigerian Tribune would continue to give its necessary support to the military and other security agencies at ensuring that Nigeria remains one for meaningful development to take place.
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“Absolutely, When we came with the Buhari government in 2015 I became the minister. We were committed to a roadmap to establish a National Carrier, to concession the airports, to set up a leasing company, to establish cargo facilities and we have been doing that.”
On why the Buhari government wanted a national carrier, the minister responded: “Nigeria is situated at the centre of Africa, equidistant from all locations in Africa. 30.4 million square kilometres miles, 1.5 billion people, very green land. If Central and Eastern Africa is the belt of the continent, then Nigeria is the buckle. 200 million people and rising middle class, propensity to fly is high. Nigeria is a candidate for National Carrier.”
Sirika who insisted that the coming national carrier will be private sector driven added; “Private. Yes. 5 per cent government and no government stepping right in that company, no government control, no membership of government on board. Totally private and committed.
“Whatever we say we will do as a government since 2015, it has happened. that is why Tim Clark of Emirates, Qatar Airways and all of them are looking to go into Nigeria in multiple frequencies and multiple landing points because Nigeria is the right place for the airline business.
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