From John Bassey, Gusau
In a strategic move to partner with stakeholders to combat insurgency in Nigeria, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle Maradun, has highlighted telecommunications as a vital tool to track criminal activities and address insecurity in the country.
He made this statement over the weekend during a courtesy visit by a delegation from MTN Nigeria, led by Mr Michael Olaniyi, Head of Enterprise – North, to his office at Ship House, Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Personal Assistant on Media to the Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, to journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Addressing the MTN contingent, the Honourable Minister said, “Telecommunications is no longer just a tool for communication; it has become an essential instrument in addressing the nation’s security challenges in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against bandits and other criminal elements.”
He noted that telecommunications companies have critical responsibilities to support the government’s efforts and alert security operatives about suspicious calls, emphasizing that the fight against insecurity is a collective duty for everyone in the country.
The Honourable Minister stressed, “Everyone has a role to play in national security, and telecommunications are no exception. Security is a collective responsibility for both citizens and residents in Nigeria, not just the government or the military.”
Matawalle further underscored the importance of collaboration, particularly between the military and telecommunications companies like MTN, Airtel, and others. “As we continue to operate on the ground with our security forces, such partnerships will significantly enhance our collective efforts to address security challenges,” he said.
He commended MTN Nigeria for its contributions to the nation, noting that the company is an integral part of Nigeria’s economy. “MTN’s investment in Nigeria is crucial, not just because of its economic contributions, but also because of the employment opportunities it provides within the country. MTN is truly a Nigerian-based company, and we value its role in our nation’s development,” he added.
The Minister called for increased collaboration between the military and telecommunications companies, emphasizing that such partnerships will be instrumental in tackling the security challenges facing the country.
In his speech, Mr Michael Olaniyi, Head of Enterprise – North at MTN Nigeria, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian military. “We are grateful for the Honourable Minister’s leadership and the ongoing efforts of the military. MTN is fully prepared to continue collaborating with the military and providing support whenever necessary,” he stated.
Olaniyi further emphasized that MTN, as a corporate citizen, remains dedicated to advancing the progress of all countries in which it operates. “Our mission is to provide solutions that drive Africa’s progress,” he added.
The MTN delegation included Mr Olufasa Obazeau, Head of Northern Operations; Mr Abubakar Dankani, Head of Public Sector; and Mrs Nafisa Ja’afar, Head of Customer Experience.
The post Telecommunication, a tool to address insecurity in Nigeria – Matawalle appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
