NASS COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE GIVES THOROUGH SCRUTINY TO Y2020 BUDGET DEFENCE HEARINGS FOR THE NIGERIA ARMED FORCES. We'll assist the armed forces in developing a comprehensive security architecture, Committee Chairman, Babajimi Benson assures.

The past week has seen the House Committee on Defence holding marathon Budget Defence hearings for the Armed Forces Y2020 Budget proposals with as many as 10 agencies under the Ministry of Defence and the MOD Headquarters itself. 

In a communique sent to MegaXpression Community Magazine, the Committee Chairman, Hon Babajimi Adegoke Benson, gives special gratitude to the leadership of the House for the confidence reposed in his Committee to carry out the function adequately, deputy chairman house committee on defence, Hon Makki Yalleman (Jigawa) and the entire Honourable members on the Defence Committee.

"For the first time, the Armed forces are a part of the legislative agenda of the House of Representatives. We intend to assist the armed forces in developing a comprehensive security architecture that is futuristic, enduring, proactive, technologically driven as well as putting the great men and women that serve in the various forces first. 

"Our plans include adequate funding and support for the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre whose main objective is repositioning ex-servicemen and women to cope with challenges of service in their post-service life, providing quality training, geared towards preparing them to face the challenges of re-integrating into civil life. This we believe, is the least we can do for our ex-servicemen and women who have sacrificed greatly to protect our territorial sovereignty.

"We intend to fund and aggressively support our local Defence agencies like the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Defence Space Administration (DSA) and the Defence Research & Development Bureau (DRDB) 

"We also hope to assist and encourage local manufacturers of Defence products like Innoson, Momas, Proforce, Lodoni to mention a few for the provision of security solutions to essential assets and infrastructure nationwide. 

"Our most sincere gratitude goes to the indefatigable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon @FemiGbaja for coming to sit on our budget defence session with the Defence Headquarters which was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and his team. 

"Our overall objective is to assist the armed forces with everything within our power to improve on the present state of security of our nation, the safety of Nigerians and prioritize the welfare of our officers and men of the armed forces to boost their morale," he explained.

JB, as he's popularly called, appreciated the leadership of the armed forces for being prompt and cooperative during the gruelling week of the budget Defence. "You have our assurances of support whilst still carrying our oversight functions promptly," he added.

SEIDU OLASOJI
Reporting for MegaXpression Community Magazine.