The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has praised Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for donating land to the Nigerian Navy.
News About Nigeria reports that Matawalle said that the donation shows Governor Abiodun’s strong support for the country’s security and development.
Dr. Matawalle thanked Governor Abiodun for his commitment to national security, saying it will boost the Navy’s capabilities and strengthen security in the South-West region.
He encouraged other states to follow Ogun State’s example and support the Armed Forces in fighting insecurity.
The former governor of Zamfara state called on state governments to work with the Armed Forces to ensure Nigeria’s safety.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with states and stakeholders to enhance the Armed Forces’ effectiveness.
The governor of Ogun had on August 9 allocated 100 hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy for the construction of a forward operating base in the state.
Abiodun said the naval facility would be established at Olokola Free Trade Zone in the Ogun Waterside LGA of the state.
He said the facility would protect some strategic investments and safeguard the sovereignty of Nigeria at Tongeji Island, in the Ipokia LGA of the state.
Dapo Abiodun, on a courtesy visit at Naval Headquarters on Friday, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, said Ogun, being an industrial hub and strategic state, required the presence of the Nigerian Navy to secure investments.
Ogalla said, “Ogun state is strategic in the nation, and it is strategic with us in our activities, which cannot be effectively done without the collaboration of key stakeholders like the state. We listen to the proposal the governor has towards developing states all geared towards promoting economic activities.
“He proposed molecular LNG and molecular blue seaport and also the development of the ‘Tongaji’ Island, these are investments that will attract a number of US dollars of up to N10bn into the Nigerian economy. These investments can’t be without security.”
