President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid first official visit to the Office of the National Security Adviser on Monday, 5 June, 2023 in Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Left) and the NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) {right} during the visit in Abuja on Monday.
His first point of call during the visit was the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) where he undertook the tour of facilities. The President who noted that terrorism was not unique to Nigeria alone but rather a global phenomenon, pledged the resolve of his administration to nip it in the bud.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Middle), the NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) (4 Left), National Coordinator, NCTC, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd) {1st Left} and other Senior Officials from ONSA and the Presidential Villa in a group photograph during the President’s visit to ONSA on Monday.
“For economic revival, prosperity and development, we have to give priority to security,” the President said.
He further stated that what he had seen at the Centre and the new office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was a demonstration of intelligence efforts to counter-terrorism which must be backed by knowledge.
L-R: NC-NCTC, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd) and the PGSO to the NSA, Maj. Gen. Sadiq Ndalolo
“Counter-terrorism that is not backed by knowledge and intelligence is not going to be of any service to any nation. We are going to work on that together.
“The effort of the entire armed forces of this country must be put together in a way that there will be one single focus on securing the country.
“You can’t have disharmony in an orchestra. We must focus on one tunnel; coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.
“You cannot hoard information. You cannot hoard intelligence. I am glad that Nigeria is on the path of success, I assure you.
“We will make it together and that is why I am here this morning,” President Tinubu stressed.
L-R: NSA Monguno, President Tinubu and his aide Dele Alake during the visit.
Earlier, the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the visit his first official engagement outside the Villa, described the gesture as a proof of his commitment to ensuring the security of life and property of Nigerians.
“This reinforces your commitment, your dedication, and your inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security challenges of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by extension, the sub-region, are overcome within the shortest possible time,” Monguno said.
L-R: President Tinubu and the NSA Monguno
He stated further that Mr. President’s visit further signified his desire to ensure a safer country for all.
Maj. Gen. Monguno (rtd) assured of the commitment and dedication of the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President towards the realisation of the promises he made to Nigerian people.
The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd) was among Senior Officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser who accompanied the NSA to receive the President.