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CSOs Declares Defence Minister Matawalle As ‘Minister of the Year 2024’
A coalition of 774 civil society organisations has named Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, as the “Minister of the Year 2024” for his exceptional leadership, dedication to Nigeria’s security, and significant achievements throughout the year.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dr Hakeem Baba Tunde, the coalition’s national chairman. According to Baba Tunde, Dr Matawalle’s tenure has been marked by a dual focus on international diplomacy and domestic cohesion, resulting in notable progress in the country’s defence framework.
He said “Dr. Matawalle began 2024 with a dual focus on international diplomacy and domestic cohesion. From January 8–9, he embarked on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General C.G. Musa, OFR. During the visit, they engaged with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance bilateral defence relations.
“On January 20, he attended the Nigerian Air Force Base Socio-Cultural Activities (BASA) for 2023 in Abuja, hosted by Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, celebrating the dedication of airmen and airwomen. Two days later, on January 22, Dr. Matawalle hosted His Excellency Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, for high-level discussions on deepening Nigeria-UAE defence ties.
“He concluded the month with a two-day roundtable on January 24–25, addressing Northern Nigeria’s security challenges. The event was organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
“In February, Dr. Matawalle’s global engagements took him to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Defence Exhibition from February 4–8.
“The event showcased Nigeria’s defence capabilities and explored strategic partnerships. On February 23, he paid tribute to retired flag officers at the Nigerian Navy Regimental Dinner Night in Asokoro, Abuja.
“March was a month of impactful initiatives. On March 4, Dr. Matawalle held talks with Mrs. Hen Cohn, Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), to establish a mine action center in Maiduguri to enhance safety in conflict zones.
” On March 6, in collaboration with Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the Minister of Steel Development, he laid the groundwork for reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Company to bolster military hardware production. On March 7, he deepened defence ties with India at the India-Nigeria Defence Cooperation Seminar in Abuja.
“Later in the month, on March 19, he chaired the 34th meeting of the Board of Defence Health Maintenance Limited. On March 26, he contributed to refining Nigeria’s defence strategies at the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference in Abuja.
” On March 27, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he attended a solemn military burial ceremony to honour fallen heroes killed while serving their country in Okuama.”
“April marked significant milestones, including Dr. Matawalle’s attendance at the launch of the Nigerian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel in Turkey on April 19. On April 22, he joined President Tinubu at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit in Abuja, emphasizing Nigeria’s leadership in regional security.
“On April 23, he hosted Mauritania’s Defence Minister, Hanena Ould Sidi, to enhance bilateral defence cooperation. On April 27, he celebrated the next generation of naval personnel at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School Passing Out Parade in Onne, Rivers State.
” Dr. Matawalle concluded the month on April 30 by hosting a U.S. Department of Defense delegation, led by Assistant Secretary Mrs. Jennifer Zakriski, to discuss mutual defence interests.
“From May 23–25, the minister participated in the Nigerian Air Force’s 60th Anniversary celebrations in Abuja and Kaduna. On May 28, he chaired a stakeholders’ meeting on implementing the new Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act and inspected facilities at the Defence Intelligence Agency HQ. On May 29, he joined President Tinubu in celebrating the rehabilitation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System.
“On June 12, Dr. Matawalle attended the 25th Democracy Day Parade at Eagle Square, Abuja, marking a quarter-century of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“On July 4, the minister chaired the inaugural meeting of the National Hydrographic Agency’s Governing Council, focusing on maritime security. On July 18, he explored defence manufacturing collaborations with a delegation from the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).
“In August, Dr. Matawalle attended the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff Meeting in Abuja on August 8. On August 14, he unveiled a vision for local ammunition production at DICON’s 60th Anniversary. On August 20, he commissioned a tuberculosis laboratory in Mogadishu Cantonment.
“September saw Dr. Matawalle intensify efforts to address banditry in Sokoto. Following directives from President Tinubu, he conducted security operations and facility inspections across affected areas and his visit led to the killing of Alhaji Halilu Sububu and thousands of bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara,and other part of the country.
“His second visit to Sokoto from October 8–12 included military facility assessments and security operations in Gundumi, Tsamaye, Isa Goronyo, Mai Lalle, and other banditry-affected villages. On October 15, he paid tribute to the late Lt. Gen. Lagbaja at the National Military Cemetery.
“In November, Dr. Matawalle participated in the Gulf of Guinea Navies Symposium on November 27, reinforcing maritime security cooperation. December saw him assess the 44 Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna on December 7. On December 12, he welcomed the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defence, and on December 29, he represented President Tinubu at the West African Social Activities (WASA) event.”
“On November 20, the Republic of Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyat, hosted Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in Riyadh to discuss strengthening defense collaboration between the two nations.
“Dr. Matawalle also traveled to Zamfara to address economic welfare issues, including plans to provide 1,200 naval officers and establish a naval base in Maradun. Additionally, a hospital project worth ₦2.25 billion is set to be completed in 2024.”
The coalition emphasised that the award was granted solely on merit. “Dr Matawalle did not influence our decision. We do not know him personally, but we have diligently documented his accomplishments over the year,” Baba Tunde stated.
As Nigeria looks to 2025, the coalition praised Dr Matawalle’s contributions to national security and collective progress under President Tinubu’s leadership.
The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, has decried the influx of large number of cattle into Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
Oyinlola, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this on Tuesday during an engagement with stakeholders in Barkin Ladi.
He noted that the influx of the cattle was constituting a major security threat to the locality and the state in general.
According to him, the isolated attacks, farm destruction, and other illegal activities are as a result of the unhealthy development.
“I must express the concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of Barkin Ladi.
“There is a growing unease about the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.
“While the movement of livestock in Barkin Ladi and indeed Pateau in general is not unusual, the scale and timings of this new influx raise legitimate security concerns.
“Unfortunately, this development has already resulted in adverse outcomes, including farm destructions, isolated attacks, and attacks on livestock.
“The impact of this action on food security, economic stability, and social harmony cannot be over emphasised,” he said.
The commander, who also expressed deep concerns over the recent killings in the locality, called on the stakeholders to unite and fashion out ways to end the violence.
He, however, promised to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, who would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Oyinlola explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring a successful and peaceful farming season in the locality.
“The faming season is already ongoing, and for many families, this is a period for securing their livelihood.
“Therefore, any disruption of farming activities now will have dire consequences for the rest of the year and beyond.
“To this end, this engagement is convened to hear from you, all stakeholders, to listen to your concerns,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting had in attendance heads of security agencies, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, among others.(NAN)
The Catholic Church’s cardinals issued an urgent appeal for peace on Tuesday, one day before they retreat into the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.
In a joint statement, they called on all warring parties worldwide to “achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible.”
The statement, released by the Vatican, said the cardinals note “with regret” that there has been no “progress in promoting peace processes in Ukraine, the Middle East and many other parts of the world.”
On the contrary, they said, attacks have intensified, especially against the civilian population.
The cardinals called for ceasefires “without preconditions and without further delay” in order to negotiate “the peace long desired by the affected populations and the whole world.”
They also appealed to believers, asking them to intensify their prayers for a just and lasting peace.
The statement was delivered during the General Congregation of the College of Cardinals, the last meeting of the cardinals before the start of the conclave.
Starting on Wednesday, eligible cardinals under the age of 80 are to vote to elect a successor to pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says on Tuesday that more than 30-year difference in life expectancy between the richest and the poorest countries highlights global health inequities.
The global health body stated this in its ‘World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity’ launched on Tuesday by its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The report revealed that where one was born could be the difference between living over three decades longer than someone else from a poorer country lacking safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs.
According to the report, people in the country with the highest life expectancy will, on average, live for 33 years more than those born in the country with the lowest life expectancy.
It further revealed that lack of safe housing, good educational opportunities and access to decent jobs could be responsible for a reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike.
“Our world is an unequal one. Where we are born, grow, live, work and age significantly influences our health and well-being,” said Ghebreyesus.
The report found that inequities in health were closely linked to degrees of social disadvantage and levels of discrimination.
“Health follows a social gradient whereby the more deprived the area in which people live, the lower their incomes are,” the UN global health agency said.
It stated that inequities’ were exacerbated in populations that face discrimination and marginalisation, such as Indigenous Peoples, who had lower life expectancies than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
According to the report, this is the case in both high and low-income countries.
The study was the first to be published since 2008 when the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health released its final report.
The report laid out targets for 2040 for reducing gaps between and within countries in life expectancy, childhood and maternal mortality.
It showed that these targets were likely to be missed and in spite of a scarcity of data, there was sufficient evidence to show that health inequities were often widening.
“For example, children born in poorer countries are 13 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than in wealthier countries.
“Moreover, modelling shows that the lives of nearly two million children annually could be saved by closing the gap and enhancing equity between the poorest and wealthiest sectors of the population within low- and-middle-income countries.”
Additionally, while maternal mortality declined by 40 per cent between the years 2000 and 2023, the majority of deaths, 94 per cent, still occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries.
WHO called for collective action to address economic inequality and invest in social infrastructure and universal public services.
The agency also recommended other steps, including overcoming structural discrimination and the determinants and impacts of conflicts, emergencies and forced migration. (NAN)