Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, recently attended a conference of Defence Ministers from Africa, Europe, and Arab nations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The conference, set to commence on February 2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aims to facilitate discussions among defence ministers concerning strategies and issues related to securing their respective regions.
Yariman Ganuwa, the Minister’s aide on new media, shared this information through a Facebook post. Ganuwa highlighted that Matawalle, the former Governor of Zamfara, would also use the opportunity to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah), offering prayers for the peace and success of Nigeria.
The visit to Saudi Arabia follows Matawalle’s participation in a two-day roundtable on security in northern Nigeria organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups in Abuja from January 24-25, 2024. The roundtable, chaired by General Abdussalami Abubakar GCFR (Rtd), brought together key figures to address the persistent issue of insecurity in Northern Nigeria and the rest of the country.
Prominent attendees included His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’adu Abubakar; Executive Governors from Gombe, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, and Nasarawa; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff, General C.G Musa; former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki; and the former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, among others.
Since assuming office as Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has demonstrated a departure from the usual business practices, initiating an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by a serving Chief of Naval Staff. The Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, was accused of engaging in corrupt practices, including facilitating unorganized bunkering of Nigerian crude and contract-splitting fraud.
In response to the allegations, Matawalle, emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s zero tolerance for corruption, pledged to investigate the claims, despite the Navy authorities dismissing them as false and sponsored by oil thieves and disgruntled elements.
Director, of Information, Press and Public Relations of the Defence Ministry, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, quoted Matawalle as saying “Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The allegations levelled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious.”
Matawalle said a probe was imperative with a view to ascertaining the truth, adding: “Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.
“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security.
“We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law.”
