By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

As the nation marks another Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Defence ministry has cried out that N20 billion is needed in the 2025 budget to settle families of deceased soldiers.Defence Minister of State, Hon. Bello Matawalle, made the demand yesterday at the 2025 budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Defence.

Matawalle, who said that the military is making huge sacrifices by paying the supreme price to keep the country together, said it needs adequate funds to tackle insecurity. Stressing that it had shortfall in the 2024 budget running to about N18 billion, Matawalle said they were unable to procure the required number of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to tackle banditry in the North West.Accordingly, he said if the Defence is given sufficient funds in 2025, it will buy more sophisticated equipment and drive out bandits from the North West in few months.In a motion, Hon Philip Agbese prayed the committee to grant the requests of the minister, stating that the ministry has done well since the coming of this administration.Responding, Chairman of the committee, Hon Babajimi Benson, ruled that the proposal had been adopted and approved.The Chairman asked the defence ministry to prioritize items in the budget that would guarantee operations efficiency.He said the budget defence exercise remained a cornerstone of their legislative responsibility, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to bolster national security.”The importance of the defence sector cannot be overstated. It is the backbone of our nation’s security architecture, tasked with addressing diverse threats that challenge our peace and stability. Over the years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have demonstrated remarkable commitment and professionalism, achieving significant progress in countering insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity. Yet, the dynamic nature of these challenges demands continuous adaptation and innovation. “Recognizing this, the National Assembly has consistently prioritized the defence sector in the national budget, with increased allocations in recent years. However, with these enhanced resources comes a heightened expectation for prudent, transparent and impactful utilization. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that every naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and deliver tangible results.”This year’s budget defence is particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats. These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration. We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens. “As we deliberate on the 2024 budget, I urge all defence agencies to prioritize strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives. Your proposals should emphasize measurable outcomes, operational efficiency and fiscal accountability. It is also crucial to address recurring challenges, such as delays in project implementation, resource mismanagement and the need for capacity-building programs to equip personnel with modern skills. “Finally, let me reaffirm the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to supporting our Armed Forces in their noble mission. We remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria. This budget defence is, therefore, not just a legislative exercise but a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to the Nigerian people”, the Chairman stated.