By Nkechi Eze
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has emphasised the need for stronger institutions, principled leadership and enhanced regional cooperation as pillars for sustainable development and good governance in Africa.
Speaking at the Graduation Lecture for Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, the Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to institutional strengthening under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Strong nations are built on strong institutions, not strong individuals,” Badaru declared, stressing that the reforms and leadership appointments currently being implemented by the administration are carefully designed to entrench accountability and professionalism across the public sector, including the defence establishment.
Addressing the graduating participants, he noted that their elevation to higher responsibilities across the Armed Forces and other strategic institutions places on them a duty to advance national stability and institutional resilience. “Leadership is a trust. Your responsibility is to leave behind systems stronger than you found them,” he told the graduates, urging them to lead with integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to public service.
While acknowledging the efforts of African governments, the African Union and ECOWAS in promoting peace, good governance and development across the continent, the Minister called for deeper cooperation to consolidate recent gains and address emerging threats. He spoke of the importance of collective security arrangements, regional synergy and the sharing of best practices in institutional governance.
Badaru also paid tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces and to the National Defence College, noting that the President’s commitment is reflected in the improved capacity of Nigerian security institutions. He commended former President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for accepting the College’s invitation and delivering a lecture that he said “will inspire the next generation of African leaders.”
Delegates and participants at the well-attended lecture included senior military officers, defence attachés, members of the diplomatic corps and government officials, all of whom acknowledged the timeliness of the Minister’s message on institutional strengthening and professional leadership as the bedrock of national and continental progress.
