The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the choice of Abuja as the host of the second edition of Africa Military Games as a welcome development in the social and economic activities.
Wike added that the Games coming up in November in the nation’s capital city, will also showcase Nigeria and particularly the Abuja city as over 40 countries will be participating.
He assured the organizers that FCT Administration will fully participate and give them all the necessary support, so that it will be a successful event.
He spoke yesterday while playing host to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to his office, in Garki, Abuja.
According to him: “It is a welcome development in the economic activities and it will also show that Nigeria is safe, Abuja is safe, come and see for yourself. Sometimes people have an impression from the outside without even having first-hand information. So I believe when they come here, they’d go back home with a different narrative.
“On our part, we have no choice but to give you the necessary support because it’s our city that’s going to host this international game.
“Whatever you think we can do, don’t hesitate to tell us quickly. I’m aware of bureaucracy but when we start on time, we will be able to achieve what we want to achieve.
“So, the Chief of staff, the SSA admin, the Director Security will work with you, and we want within one week we would have gotten what we should do, so that we will do our own part. I like to do things on time, so that we won’t have any hitches.
“It is an international game and we don’t want any embarrassment in terms of security threats here and there.”
Furthermore, the minister commended the CDS for the support of his men with other security agencies, in terms of security in Abuja.
“We may not have arrived where we would say everything is over just like how you’d still have some pockets of insecurity all over the world.
“So do not be deterred, you are doing very well. Insecurity has come down, even insurgency has also reduced.
“For us, we know you’ve done very well and with the support of Mr. President, I know it will be a thing of the past”, he stated.
Earlier, the CDS said hosting such a grand event will showcase Nigeria in great light to the world, not only in Africa, but to the entire world that Abuja is safe, and Nigeria at large is safe.
He said so far, over 40 countries are coming to Abuja with their own forces for a period of one week.
“We all know that Nigeria is safe, Abuja is one of the safest places that anybody will ever live.
“And we said we should come because sir you are the grand host, because you are the landlord.
We’re going to leverage on you sir, for a very successful and hitch free game.
“We want to show that unity of purpose, whatever it is that we’re doing, we are supporting the government in projecting Nigeria to the world.
“It is part of the renewed agenda of Mr. President, projecting Nigeria to the world and the military is showing that direction. We want it to be a very successful event, the standard of the recent Olympics that was finished in Paris”, he stressed.
