FG working hard to strengthen national security, Defence Minister tells Nigerians in Angola

• As Olubunmi Ojo, Dabiri-Erewa also reassure them

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has reassured Nigerians in Angola of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security and addressing the challenges posed by insecurity and instability in the Sahel region.

Musa gave the assurance during an engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Luanda, Angola, on the sidelines of the 21st Extra-ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

The engagement, according to a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abuja, was coordinated by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on the sidelines of the AU extraordinary session in Luanda Uganda

The Nigerian delegation to the AU summit was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking to the Nigerian community, Musa acknowledged the security challenges confronting the country, noting that some of them were linked to instability in the Sahel, with its effects spilling across national borders.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was taking comprehensive measures to strengthen Nigeria’s borders and prevent security threats and incursions.

The Minister assured Nigerians in Angola that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to defeating security threats across the country, adding that efforts were ongoing to increase the manpower, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

In the same vein, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo said “ Nigeria is growing, the economy is growing and Nigeria is on the path of full recovery “

On the request to have a Nigerian passport production centre in Angola, Tunji-Ojo said he will look into their request so as to ease issuance of passport booklets in the country.

Coordinating the meeting, Dabiri-Erewa, appreciated members of the Nigerian community in Angola for their contributions to Nigeria’s development and for continuing to project the positive image of the country abroad.

She reassured the community that the Federal Government values the contributions, concerns and welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora, stressing that their voices remain important in shaping policies and interventions that affect them.

Dabiri-Erewa also encouraged Nigerians in Angola to continue to remain united, law-abiding and committed to contributing positively to the development of both Nigeria and their host country.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian community in Angola, the Secretary of the Nigeria Community Association in Angola, Nnaemeka Francis Obi, commended the engagement and highlighted some of the challenges confronting Nigerians in the country.

Obi specifically called for the establishment of a Nigerian passport office in Angola, noting that access to passport and consular services remains a major concern for members of the community.

He also raised concerns over healthcare challenges faced by Nigerians living in Angola and called for greater attention to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the Federal Government delegation to hear directly from Nigerians in Angola and reaffirm its commitment to deepening Diaspora engagement, addressing their concerns and ensuring that Nigerians abroad remain an integral part of the nation’s development agenda.

NiDCOM reiterated that the Federal Government, through relevant agencies, will continue to strengthen its engagement with Nigerians across the globe while working towards responsive solutions to issues affecting their welfare and interests.