Review Of Nigeria’s National Defence Policy Long Overdue, Says 82 Division GOC

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Friday, January 23rd, 2015

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu – The General Officer Commanding the 82 Division the Nigerian Army, Enugu Major General Shehu Yusuf, has said that the ongoing move by the federal government to review the National Defence Policy was long overdue.

He stated that when reviewed, the Nigeria’s National Defence Policy would fall in line with global best practices as well as improve the nation’s National Defence Policy.

The 82 Division helmsman who spoke Thursday at the Public Presentation on the Review of Nigeria’s National Defence Policy held in Enugu, added that at the end of the review, the Nigeria military would be better off as its operations would be strengthened.

Gen. Yusuf, further stressed that a vibrant and robust National Defence policy would equip the Army to discharge its functions creditably, especially at this period of security challenges in the country.

The GOC expressed optimism “that the review would bring about a vibrant and robust National Defence Policy that would equip the nation’s military in it’s operations”.

He commended the Federal Government for initiating the idea, re-stating that it would be a step in the right direction.

Earlier, A member of the Presidential Committee on the Review of Nigeria’s National Defence Policy, Professor, Uchendu Egodi , had in his opening remarks, disclosed that the objective of the Public Presentation was to bring together Nigerians from different sectors of our national life to make inputs and partake in the review of our National Defence Policy.

Professor Egodi, a renowned historian, expressed hope that at the end of the assignment, a more vigorous, proactive and people oriented Defence Policy that all Nigerians would be proud of would evolve.

According to her, the National Defence Policy was inaugurated on the 20th November 2014 to assist the government to access the state of it’s defence organisation, mandate, capabilities and design with a view to identifying area requiring review and to suggest future interventions.

She described the National Defence Policy as an important document that provides guidance to governments about a country’s short, medium and long term policy settings and capabilities.

The policy, she added, allows the government and citizenry to understand the opportunities and challenges for the country’s future and defence and security needs.