POLITICS – The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has revealed that the current financial difficulties in the country are a direct consequence of President Bola Tinubu‘s administration taking over an empty treasury a few months ago.
Ribadu made this statement during the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 in Abuja on Monday. He acknowledged the significant financial limitations impacting budget allocations but assured the nation that the federal government is dedicated to ensuring a strong and effective defense management and mechanism.
“I assure you that the federal government will not rest on its oars in ensuring a robust and viable defence management and security apparatus to address contemporary challenges even in the face of enormous budgetary constraints.
“Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we have inherited a very difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now; we’re paying back what was taken. It is serious!
“But this administration is doing its best to meet our requirements, particularly the armed forces, and I believe that you leaders will be able to testify to that.” Ribadu said.
He praised the armed forces for their commitment to dealing with security challenges in Nigeria and abroad. He acknowledged the positive changes and improvements that have been made. He called for unity and support for the country’s security agencies and expressed confidence that with strong leadership, the nation will overcome its current difficulties.
“Let us come together as one and continue to support our armed forces and other security agencies with this work of securing our country for peace and stability.
“They have done an amazingly good job without talking and I believe that with the support and the resolve of the leadership we have today in our country, things will only be better.
“We are just four or five months old, but certainly things have changed and we believe that what they are doing, they are doing it right. We want to encourage them, stand by them and support them 100 percent and hopefully, this country will be okay in a short time,” he added.
Ribadu highlighted recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea, describing them as sudden setbacks for democracy. He emphasized the significance of defense diplomacy in pursuing strategic engagements with allies and partners to achieve national security goals.
In response, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye, expressed the agency’s commitment to utilizing the defense attaché system’s capabilities to accomplish national security objectives.
The conference was attended by important individuals, including the Minister of Defence, Minister of State, and other high-ranking officials in the Defense Ministry.
