The new Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence (MOD), Mr Musa Istifanus has stressed the need for synergy and jointness among the various security agencies so as to bring to an end the various security challenges confronting the Country.
He stated this while on his maiden familiarization visit to Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (HQ NAF), Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary who was accompanied on the visit by Directors from MOD was received by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, Branch Chiefs and other senior officers.
While congratulating the CAS on his recent promotion and subsequent decoration with his new rank of Air Marshal, Mr Istifanus stated that he was at HQ NAF to familiarize himself with NAF activities, operations as well as challenges so as to enable the Ministry make inputs as appropriate.
Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary stated that his Ministry would continue to support the NAF in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality in the Country. According to him, the fight against insurgency is a collective fight against agents of evil.
He therefore appealed to the Services to work in synergy and put in more efforts in order to bring peace to the Country and enable Nigerians go about their legitimate businesses.
He expressed optimism that the likelihood of an end to the war against insurgency was in sight as long as the various security services operate jointly and in synergy with one another. Mr Istifanus also used the occasion of his visit to commiserate with the CAS on the untimely death of 7 NAF personnel who recently lost their lives in an air crash.
In his remarks, the CAS congratulated Mr Istifanus on his appointment as the Permanent Secretary and expressed appreciation for his support to the NAF.
He also noted that recent successes recorded by Nigerian troops against insurgents and bandits is attributed to the high level of synergy among the various security agencies, adding that they would continue to work assiduously until the nation is rid of all forms of criminalities
Air Marshal Amao thereafter appealed to the Permanent Secretary and his team of Directors for their assistance to the NAF to enable it achieve its constitutional mandate.
He commended the efforts of the Ministry in the acquisition of various platforms for the Service while also disclosing that the NAF has started receiving components of some of aircraft earlier acquired.
A highlight of the visit was the wreath laying by the Permanent Secretary at HQ NAF Memorial Arcade in honour of NAF personnel who paid the supreme price while on active duty.
EDWARD GABKWET
