The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, in his Abuja home.

Mr Badaru also paid a courtesy visit to the former Chief of Defence Staff, Martin Agwai.

The minister’s visit to the duo was to seek professional advice on how to tackle and accomplish the task ahead of him.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by Victoria Agba-Attah, the spokesperson for the ministry.

Briefing the former Nigerian leaders, the minister said his visit was in view of the task and responsibilities ahead of him in the strategic ministry.

He said in light of that, he and his state counterpart needed to consult and tap from the wisdom and wealth of their experience.

Mr Badaru said he would not relent in his efforts at more comprehensive consultations with elders and former Nigerian leaders on how to tackle the current security challenges facing the nation.

He commended the former head of state, who was also the head of ECOWAS special envoy to the Niger Republic, for his efforts to restore peace and overcome the current political impasse in that country.

Mr Abubakar, Nigeria’s former military head of state between 1998 and 1999, is a renowned elder statesman and a peace ambassador for ECOWAS and the United Nations.

Similarly, Mr Agwai had served the nation at one point in his career as the commander of the combined United Nations-African Union Peacekeeping Force in Darfur.

He also served as chief of staff and chief of defence staff.

Both leaders commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing the minister, describing him as a great achiever.

They wished him a successful tenure as minister of defence. 

(NAN)