The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor has appealed for the support and trust of the legislative arm of government towards the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and the security agencies in their task of defending the nation against adversaries.
The CDS made the appeal today when the House Committee on Defence paid an oversight visit to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in Abuja.
In his remarks, Gen Irabor urged members of the House of Representatives, particularly, the House Committee on Defence to continue to show understanding and trust to the Armed Forces and other security agencies who are burdened with the responsibility of keeping the country safe.
The CDS commended the Committee members for their zeal towards ensuring the AFN executes its operational mandates and other engagements.
Gen Irabor assured the honourable members of the commitment of the AFN in actualizing the directive of the Commander-in-Chief towards ensuring the country is safe and secured for its citizens.
He pointed out that in recent times, the troops were recording tremendous successes in the various theatres across the country.
The Defence Chief reiterated that the AFN under his watch, will continue to build the combat readiness of its personnel in order to optimally perform their constitutional role as professional men and women.
He pledged to continue to work tirelessly in ensuring the needed security is provided for Nigerians.
The Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Honourable Babajimi Benson, in his remarks, congratulated Gen Irabor on his appointment and pledged the readiness of his committee to provide the requisite support for the AFN to succeed in tackling the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
The Chairman, who described the DHQ as an umbrella agency for the AFN, under the jurisdiction of his Committee, expressed hope that the visit will yield the desired goal of improving security of lives and property, as well as service delivery in the AFN.
The oversight function by the National Assembly is an exclusive provision, which is captured in section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution and the standing order of the House of Representatives.
The oversight function is aimed at promoting good governance, accountability, transparency and service delivery, particularly in the nation’s security sector.
