The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana Aduda, has assured that action will be expedited to review the nation’s defence policy as a critical element of national security.
Aduda gave this assurance on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where he pledged to work closely with the military services to ensure the swift completion of the review.
He emphasized the need to align defence policy with public service rules, stating that the review would address welfare deficiencies, especially in housing.
Aduda said, “I am already having meetings in those areas, drawing from international best practices to see how we can have the armed forces better positioned to enjoy stronger welfare provisions in that area.
“One of such is for us to see very quickly if we also can begin to think in mortgage finance. Just as we have the Federal Mortgage Bank, where civil servants can take up to N50 million as loans, we need to establish a similar facility for the military. This would ensure that more officers not only have houses during service but also a place to retire.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, AVM Sayo Olatunde, expressed gratitude for the visit, which also included a tour of the Army, Navy, and Air Force facilities.