By Mariam Sanni
Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa has promised to secure Nigeria and the African continent against emerging threats.
General Musa made this known while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit scheduled to take place from August 25- 27 in Abuja.
He said the theme of the summit is “Combating Contemporary Threats to Peace and Security in Africa”.
He said Nigeria had, over the years, demonstrated readiness to protect its sovereignty, support neighbours and contribute to peace and stability efforts across the continent.
“We have invited the 54 African countries and I am pleased to announce that we recorded over 90 percent attendance.
“This reflects our shared recognition of the need to unite against common threats.
“Our goal is to strengthen rapid crisis response capabilities, establish joint training exercises, enhance intelligence sharing and develop a unified continental strategy to address our security challenges,” he said.
The CDS emphasised the importance of solidarity, mutual respect and cultural understanding among African nations, noting that Africa’s security is directly linked to its economic growth and development.
“A secure Africa is a prosperous continent. We must step up, work together as brothers and sisters and act now before it is too late. Our collective will is our greatest weapon,” he added.
Musa commended President Bola Tinubu for his renewed commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s security posture and for supporting initiatives that promote regional peace and stability.
According to him, the summit is an opportunity to forge lasting partnerships, pool resources and ensure that Africa is prepared to respond effectively to any crisis.
