NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, received the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot and his delegation at his office Ship House Abuja.
A statement by the SA Media Leah Katung-Babatunde- said he EU Ambassador was on a working visit to the Minister to discuss critical defence bilateral agreements, including the review of security cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
He used the opportunity to commend the minister for his efforts in changing the security dynamics in the country and also to invite him for a Ministers of defence meeting in Brussels later in the year.
The engagement centred on modalities for an EU’s bilateral assistance of £20 million for the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the European Peace Facility. General Musa expressed gratitude to the EU for consistency in supporting Nigeria and assured the ambassador of Mr. Presidents’ commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians and development of the country.
He explained that relative peace is gradually returning due to the laudable efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies. He, however, mentioned that issues of kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities persists, which are being tackled. In this regard, Nigeria is expecting the delivery of ten attack helicopters, UAVs and other major enablers with the effort of Mr. President.
The Minister explained that the shrinking of Lake Chad Basin on which more than 50 million people depend remains a potential source of instability. He stressed that denying terrorists holding areas on the Lake chad Islands remains a key operational priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
On the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) Programme, the Minister emphasised that the programme should prioritise victims including affected military personnel.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot disclosed that an EU technical delegation will visit Abuja in November to agree on delivery details.
He further commended the recent conference of past and present MNJTF force commanders, which was attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.