Indicative of his ability to tackle the current security challenges, the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), has expressed his resolve to make the country a safe place for everyone.
“The challenges are evidently daunting but surmountable; with the help of almighty Allah and our collective resolve and determination we will get to the destination that will give Nigerians the confidence that the country is indeed a safe place for everyone,” he said.
He spoke during the handing over ceremony, as the substantive minister of Defence on 7th March 2014 at the Head quarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
General, Aliyu Gusau (rtd), has a proven penchant for remaining in the corridors of power, albeit within the Security and Defence sector in the country.
On 5 March 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Gusau as Defence minister. Two days later he and minister of state for Defence, Musliu Obanikoro took over at the Ministry of Defence.
Gusau, is said to be highly regarded in the intelligence community as a security expert, Daily Trust gathered that expectation are high following his appointment as Defence Minister, especially in the wake of the current insecurity in the country.
Also respected in international circles, his appointment is said to have the backing of the international community, searching for solutions to solve the menace of terrorism in the West African region, Daily Trust learnt.
In a concise matter of fact tone at the handing over ceremony, Gusau also said, “as somebody who has been in the military I have been following the trend of events in the ministry.”
He added that, “reading through the hand over notes I carefully looked at the structure of the ministry of Defence, including the detail of its institutions, I have also studied the responsibilities of the various units and manpower dispositions both in the civil and military.”
“The ministry has recorded remarkable successes in some areas and they can do much better in others, I applaud the achievements of the past and look forward to adding our modest contribution in the months ahead,” he promised.
General Gusau also took a moment to pray that the courage and commitment of our troops in mission areas, both at home and abroad, particularly for their sacrifice in recent times.
Before his current appointment, after a long stint in military intelligence, Gusau was Chief of Army Staff between August 1993 and September 1993.
He was appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) from 29th May 1999 to 1st June 2006, for most of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Gusau was again appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as National Security Adviser (NSA) from 8th March 2010 to September 2001.
