Minister of state for defence Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle said Nigeria’s plan to provide strategic SEALIFT capacity generation to the African Union Commission (AUC) demonstrates the nation’s military capabilities.
He said the move has further demonstrated Nigeria’s capabilities and capacity to contribute significantly to the movement of military equipment, heavy hardware, relief materials, and troops within the continent and beyond.
He stated these during a meeting with the Inter-Ministerial Committee to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on African Union Strategic Sealift capacity at Ship House, Abuja.
In a statement by the press director of the Ministry of Information, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Matawalle emphasised Nigeria’s leadership role in commanding and controlling the asset and providing escort services.
“It is our asset, and it is befitting that we direct it,” he stated.
He commended the committee’s efforts to achieve results that will showcase Nigeria’s capabilities to the world.
The minister further expressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to projecting Nigeria’s efforts in the African Union peace and security initiatives.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s role in advancing collective security efforts across Africa.
Matawalle said the Ministry of Defence will support the committee in succeeding in their task. “I think the committee is doing a good work,” he said.
The Leader of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, Ambassador Innocent A. Iwejuo, thanked the minister for the audience and briefed him on the reviewed draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between Nigeria and the AUC.
He said the purpose of the visit was to brief the minister on the progress of work done on the MoU and the forthcoming visit of the representatives of AUC to Nigeria.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee comprises representatives from the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to ECOWAS, ECOWAS National Unit, and the Nigerian Navy.