As part of its resolve to curtail security challenges confronting the country, the federal government says it has acquired 23 new war planes.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, made this known during the Independence Day parade at the Eagle Square, in Abuja, on Monday.
The SGF said Nigeria has every reason to celebrate its 58th birthday.
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He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the acquisition of the war planes, adding that it will help address security challenges confronting some parts of the country.
“We have to be reflective with this particular situation,” Mustapha said.
“The last time we had such a celebration was in 2010, which was our centenary celebration. So, for the last eight years, we have not had any major celebration, and we felt strongly that we are loosing trend with our tradition and our history.
“A child born seven years ago has no idea whether we celebrate our national day or not.
“So, I want us to look at this particular incidence, today (yesterday), with retrospect and appreciate the fact that we have come a long way and God has been faithful to us as a nation.
“Most of the equipment our military boasts of, today, especially those displayed during today’s (yesterday) celebration, were acquired during this tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“As you heard from the Air force commentator that about 23 war planes have so far been acquired, so it means that in the last couple of decades, we have not paid much attention to the acquisition of military hardware; to be able to effectively fight insurgency and other forms of security challenges that we have had in the country.
“Now that we are acquiring more, you can see that there is relative calm in the North-East.
“Even the banditry in the North-Central and northwestern areas is being checked effectively, and, I believe it will be a continuous thing because the problem keeps propping up but as that happens, we will deal with them.”