https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGknY2KItIY?si=z-8rorzhKWVrQjyU
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Performs the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of the new Armed Forces Headquarters Complex in Abuja..
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BOLA TINUBU GCFR, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA, AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE DEFENCE COMPLEX ABUJA THURSDAY, 23 JANUARY 2025
PROTOCOL
1. We are gathered here today for the ground- breaking of the Armed Forces Complex and to honour the unbroken spirit and dedication of the men and women who serve our great nation. This ceremony marks the start of a construction project and the foundation of a renewed commitment to our military and the values we hold dear as a democracy. On this occasion, we open a new chapter in our nation’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our people.
2. I am deeply moved and filled with pride and gratitude for the men and women who wear the uniform of our armed forces. I want to use this moment to personally commend the remarkable efforts of our armed forces under the leadership of the CDS, General CG Musa OFR, who stands guard with the Service Chiefs and men against the evil forces that seek to retard our cherished peace and development.
3. Your dedication, courage and resilience protect our freedoms and uphold the very principles upon which our nation was founded.
You exemplify loyalty and excellence in every endeavour, serving as a shining beacon of hope and strength for all our citizens. We recognise the burdens you bear and the challenges you face. You stand ready to respond to any threat, ensuring peace, stability, and security in our country.
4. It is fitting that a grateful nation honours your sacrifices with a state-of-the-art facility that I reaffirm my commitment to building a well- equipped and truly professional military that embodies our nation’s pride. In this regard, I have authorised measures to enhance your operational effectiveness, including procuring critical equipment.
5. As many know, the facilities housing our Defence and Services Headquarters at Area 10 Garki for over three decades were intended as temporary offices. Over the years, our armed forces have continued to adapt to dealing with new threats. The complex has become inadequate and inappropriate for many reasons. Therefore, it has become expedient to provide our military with a modern, befitting and comprehensive infrastructure that reflects their vital role as the backbone of our national security architecture in safeguarding our nation and protecting our democracy.
6. As we break the ground on this Armed Forces Complex, let it symbolise our nation’s respect and admiration for your unwavering service and our dedication to providing the resources you need to function better. This edifice, when completed, will not only stand as a centre of loyalty but a national monument that every Nigerian would be proud of.
7. It will be a hub of excellence, re- energising able leaders who are committed to the safety of our citizens. And as our nation’s economy continues to improve, our armed forces will be better repositioned to respond to the mandates enshrined in our Constitution, ensuring a secure future for our nation.
8. I am particularly proud to share that our efforts in developing a military-industrial complex have begun to yield positive results. These initiatives, driven by significant research and development by the Defence Industries
Corporation of Nigeria, the Command Engineering Depot of the Nigerian Army, and private entities such as EPAIL and ProForce, have enhanced our domestic defence capabilities.9. Thus, with great pride and pleasure, I announce the assembly of these displayed Tactical Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) produced in Nigeria. They testify to the advancement made in our defence sector. These vehicles will not only boost our armed forces’ operational efficiency but will also enhance our economy.