The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has reassured the Nigerian Army of the sustained funding of its institutions in line with the Fund’s mandate.
The Executive Secretary of the Fund, Arc. Sonny Echono, spoke when he led the top management of TETFund on a courtesy call with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
According to the TETFund boss, the military has been a vital supporter of educational institutions in Nigeria, making significant sacrifices in challenging environments and conflict zones.
He eulogised the Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their selfless services to the nation, even as he commended the military for their commitment to tackling the security challenges in the country as well as protecting educational institutions.
Echono lauded the army for reducing incidences of militant attacks and kidnapping within institutions of higher learning.
His words: “The military establishment has been so supportive of our educational institutions. And we thank you for your service to our country. We thank you for the huge sacrifice that is being made to ensure that education continues even in times of conflict and difficult environments
“We also want to commend the fact that we have seen a real slowdown in the rates of such challenges in the recent past. We are able to ensure that schools run without disruptions and unsavoury incidents of attacks by either militants or kidnappers.
“In the area of research and development, we see it as a major frontier for collaboration. Because research into security services and development of our defence industries and being able to service that sector is one area that we can express our national aspirations as a people”.
He expressed the commitment of the Fund to continue to support institutions of the Nigerian Army, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, Army University, and Biu, among others.
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, assured that the Armed Forces will continue its unwavering support for educational developments in the country.
He made a case for a partnership between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and TETFund.
On the restrictions on the importation of certain calibres of arms and ammunition into the country by the Ministry of Defence, he said it would make Nigeria a major hub of arms production, save our foreign currency, and generate employment.
Gen. Musa expressed his gratitude for the Fund’s support for the NDA and other Army institutions, stating that it had significantly enhanced their capacity and ability to achieve more.
“What you are doing has enhanced the capacity of the education system. For the Armed Forces, we can only continue to appreciate what you are doing.
“Everywhere we have our men, one of the key areas we told them is to make sure the schools are secure. Because without that, as a nation, we can’t move forward,” he said.
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