By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that the upcoming Africa Military Games, slated for November in Abuja, will highlight Nigeria’s security advancements and boosts economic activities.
Wike made this known when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, in his office on Wednesday.
The minister said the event will showcase Abuja to the world that the nation’s capital and indeed the entire country was safe to host international events.
“This event will showcase Abuja to the world, proving that the city and Nigeria are safe and ready to host international events. People often form impressions from afar without firsthand experience, but I believe they will leave with a different narrative,”
While recognizing the steady progress made in reducing insurgency nationwide and commending the security forces for their commitment to safeguarding Abuja, the minister assured of the FCTA’s full commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure the success of the event without any security challenges.
He further assured that the FCT Administration is dedicated to providing resources, logistics, and other assistance needed to guarantee the success of the games.
Wike noted that security preparations are well underway, with vehicles and resources already approved, while stressing the importance of expediting certain procurement processes to avoid delays.
Earlier, the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, commended the minister for his efforts at securing the territory within the period of one year.
He further highlighted the importance of the upcoming Africa Military Games, noting that it is an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its security and hospitality strength on the global stage.
“This is the second edition, and Nigeria is the second country to host such a grand event. It will show the world that Abuja is safe, and Nigeria is safe. Many countries that speak negatively about Nigeria are less secured than we are. Here, the press enjoys immense freedom, which contributes to certain perceptions, but Nigeria is more secure than it’s often portrayed,” he added.
