The speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for stakeholders’ partnership and input to enhance Nigeria’s military capacity to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Mr Tajudeen made the call on Monday at the opening of a two-day public hearing on five military-related bills, organised by the House Committee on Defence in Abuja.

The bills are the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme bill, the Gender Representation in the Armed Forces bill, and the Repeal of Armed Forces Act and Enactment of Nigerian Military Force Bill.

Others are the Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria Bill and bills on military education, doctrine and medical services.

Mr Tajudeen described the bills as a direct response to the evolving security threats facing the country and the imperative to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution.

He said that Nigeria was faced with relentless insurgency in the North-East, the scourge of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, farmer-herder crises in the North-Central and the separatist agitations in the South-East.

Mr Tajudeen said that the country was also faced with emerging threats like maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare, and the nexus between organised crime and terrorism.

The speaker said that the aim was to better serve the Nigerian people and to produce legislation that would make the Armed Forces more professional,  accountable, gender-sensitive, and more effective in protecting lives and property.

“Let me state clearly, the security challenges we face today demand bold, fresh thinking. The old ways have not fully worked. We must be open to legislative innovations.

“I therefore call on all stakeholders, serving and retired military personnel, civil society, gender experts, veterans, lawyers and ordinary citizens to participate actively. Share your memoranda, speak your truth, critique where necessary and propose solutions.

“Do not hold back because you think your voice does not matter. It does. Do not stay away because you fear your submission will be ignored,” Mr Tajudeen explained.

He added, “I give you my word, every memorandum will be read, every oral presentation will be noted, and all relevant contributions will be considered and, where applicable, incorporated into the final reports and bills.

“As we deliberate over the next two days, let us remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who are today in the trenches, in the forests and on the waters, risking their lives for our peace. Let us give them laws that support them. Let us give the nation a military that is fit for purpose in the 21st century.”

The chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos), said that as security threats continue to evolve, legal and institutional frameworks must also evolve to meet contemporary realities. He said they represented an important effort to build a stronger, more professional, more innovative, and future-ready military institution.

“I, therefore, encourage all stakeholders present to participate actively and constructively in these deliberations. Whether through oral presentations or written memoranda, your contributions will help ensure that these bills are strengthened and refined in the national interest. I assure you that every submission received will be carefully considered by the committee,” he said.

(NAN)