…AS CHIEF OF DEFENCE CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS, REAR ADMIRAL OLUSANYA BANKOLE HOST ANIM IN ABUJA, STRESSED THE NEED TO ADVANCE PUBLIC INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN SECURITY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
General Musa inspiring remarks at the event
For a nation to grow, prosper, achieve its lofty goals, become enviable, and be duly respected in the comity of nations, its security structures and systems among other growth indicators must be working and seen to be working.
Governments globally understand the importance of securing their respective domains, especially with the upheavals and attendant consequences witnessed worldwide. They know that security slack at any time could mean sudden and irreparable destructions to lives and livelihoods. Hence, they are constantly mindful, innovating and investing heavily in human and material resources toward ensuring their territories and people are safe and well-guarded.
Cross section of participants
Acceptable governance also includes country-wide protection and preservation, as nation handlers should take cognizant of this important duty for continued national growth and prosperity.
Nigeria like many other sovereignties is also not exempted from global security threats and worries, even as its leadership (at all levels) relentlessly works to ensure its security and liveable at all times. .
‘’The Tinubu’s Administration is focused and unrelenting in safeguarding Nigeria. His Presidency is taking the bull by the horn to provide effective and desired nationwide security despite the challenges the country is faced with in this area’’.
Mr. President main task is to Protect Nigeria, Nigerians, and all legitimately public and privately owned properties. Aware of this, the No 1 citizen is taking necessary actions with his security officers, aides, partners and other stakeholders including his National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuru Ribadu, and the Ministers of Defence to tackle security concerns headlong.
The Nigerian Military, a key component of the nation’s protective architecture, saddled with the huge obligation of SECURING NIGERIA is also actively at the forefront of this important commitment. Give it to the nation’s security forces; their alertness, rapid responses, and defence roles are intrinsically instrumental to the existence and survival of Nigeria. Kudos to these great men and women whose love and loyalty to country, even when they sometimes pay the supreme price remains steadfast. To these and many more of your life-saving dedications, Thank You!
Since its inception as a free nation, Nigeria is blessed with fine security representatives, as the nation boasts of some of the finest Armed Forces personnel in the world. Give it to the current Chief of Defence Staff, a fine Nigerian Military officer, distinguished, and a rare breed any nation will crave for advancing this reputation. General Christopher Gwabin Musa is sagacious, skilled, smart and swift. A Nigerian gift that is deploying his natural and nurtured talents towards national protection, prosperity and perpetuity.
Commendably, his appointment by his Commander-in-Chief as the nation’s defence chief was not by mediocrity nor meddling, but by merit and meticulousness, as he was widely approved as a man fit for the job. And, without disappointing expectations, he continues to distinguished himself through the executions of his office and current national assignment .
Rear Admiral Bankole welcomes the CDS to the event
Nigeria is a vast occupancy with various players desirous for its good or bad, so it takes a Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, with tact, proven track records, and right team to further navigate its military coordination. General Musa possess such qualifications, and also understands the military manoeuvrings necessary for the nation’s complex and cosmopolitan survival and sustenance.
General Musa’s leadership is taking no chances: employing kinetic and non-kinetic measures, ensuring modern and relevant military assets acquisition, providing adequate and timely training, retraining and welfare of personnel, deploying workable strategies, and interfacing with diverse stakeholders outside of military formations.
The Four-Star General knows that functional security attainments must also align with broader social, economic, and environmental goals. Engaging citizens, communities, and organizations, in the development and implementation of national safety is key in addressing current and emerging threats across the country, especially in major flash points. And, the roles of the people in this regard.
Civil-Military Relations: The Right Approach
The Nigerian public is a critical component of a safer society, recognising and properly engaging them will hugely help in the realisation of an inclusive, operational and sustainable national security promotions. Towards achieving this, the CDS along with his team are increasing reachouts through robust military-civil engagements structures.
In an ever-changing world with unending security troubles, it is important that we also begin to think beyond weapons and warfare as one of our core solutions. Love for the people, trust-building, respect for human rights, continued dialogue, diplomacy at all levels and constant communal collaborations will help to win hearts and minds more quickly than the traditional force-based and kinetic approach.
A man of the people and applauded social relations, General Musa understands that increasing right messaging and connections can help accomplish his military, social and security goals. Towards this, he has organised the maiden Civil-Military Relations conference aimed at ensuring and strengthening new and improved relations with the civilian population.
A productive discussion: Admiral Bankole and team speaks with ANIM, at his office in Abuja.
Over the years, the country has inherited an unfortunate legacy that must be corrected, the flagship meeting is therefore great news for the country, because it marks a departure from the frosty, distrustful and fear that once characterised the people interactions with the Armed forces of Nigeria and sets a new narrative that should be committedly pursued.
‘’The reality is that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are a constitutionally established institution, deeply rooted in democratic principles and accountable to the Nigerian people’’…. General Musa
The Abuja conference held on the 19th-20th, 2025, at the Armed Forces Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, with the theme: Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security, was aimed at becoming an annual strategic initiative that will become a platform of expression for honest discourse, insightful reflection and fruitful partnership.
Speaking to the civil audience drawn from traditional rulers, leaders of thoughts, civil society, academia, and media among others, the General emphasised that to deepened professionalism, enhanced accountability and encouraged responsiveness, constructive feedback, innovations and continued interactions and integrated supports are always welcomed.
He further noted that the military mandate is not only to safeguard the territorial integrity, but importantly also to support civil authority in attaining overall national growth. Reaffirming his leading role in this pursuit, he urged the people to become more active players and progressive participants in peace building and sustainable national security attainment.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris Malagi, who was also invited as the conference Special Guest of Honour, though ably represented. Mr. Obodo Chinaza Nnamdi, on behalf of the Minister, in his speech called for a new national optics and positive acceptance of the military by the public, He said “A trust deficit exists between the Armed Forces and many Nigerians… “The military is not a foreign force—it is a national institution created for the protection and prosperity of all Nigerians.”
Speaking also at the event, the Chief Of Defence Civil-Military Relations, at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, thanked the audience for their attendance. The Naval Chief further emphasised that the conference signalled government commitment to bolster national cohesion, transparency and constructive engagement; noting that the conference also acknowledged a rooted truth that there is a growing disconnect between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the civilian population.
ANIM publication presentation to Admiral Bankole
He further stated that if the people do not perceive the military as protectors, friends and partners, but as agents of brutality, offenses, and often distant from them, then trust and desired acceptance will be doubtful and eroded, and the fabric of national unity will be weakened.
‘’The Military is not an occupying force. It is a product of our collective will, serving under the constitutional authority for the security and well-being of Nigeria’’…Rear Admiral Bankole
The Armed Forces of Nigeria are a national institution owned by the government and funded by the people of Nigeria, the Chief Of Defence Staff, the convener, is trying to re-amplify this narrative through the conference goal. The meeting will help to advance non-clinical strategies and tools of peace, dialogue, outreach and coping engagements that can restore trust and rebuild the vital bridge between the military and the civilians they have sworn to serve.
Towards a sustainable national security and safety
Also, in an earlier similar engagement, Rear Admiral Bankole hosted, on behalf of the CDS, the leadership of, Acclaim Nigeria International Magazine, ANIM, an international diplomacy and development promoting media outfit from Nigeria. The media organisation was on a courtesy call to the Department of Defence Civil-Military Relations, DDCMR, in Abuja to familiarise with the workings of the Department and ensure collaborations on its vision and mission. The Chief, used the visitation opportunity to reiterate on the need for continuous Civil-Military Relations, his diverse and invaluable commitments, and the role of the media in advancing this.
A pleasant, humble and amiable senior military officer, Admiral Bankole and his team, professionally engaged with us and accorded us a heart-warming reception. Publications and plaques presentations were also made with a promised by both parties to keep on the work towards a smoother, seamless and enduring Civil-Military cooperation.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!
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