The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday formally welcomed Mr. Richard Pheelangwa as its new Permanent Secretary, marking a leadership transition the incoming PS described as “an honour, a responsibility, and a call to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture.”
Speaking shortly after assuming duty at the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, Mr. Pheelangwa expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him.
“I consider this assignment an honour and a responsibility,” he said. “It is a call to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture, and I am grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the opportunity to serve.”
Pheelangwa pledged to uphold professionalism, transparency, discipline, and teamwork as he takes charge of the ministry’s broad mandates, which include defence policy formulation, military administration, logistics, procurement, and international cooperation.
He assured that he would work closely with the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, Service Chiefs, Directors, and all staff to drive efficiency, improve resource management, and boost operational readiness across the nation’s defence institutions. Staff welfare, he stressed, would remain a priority, noting that “welfare is not a luxury but a necessity.”
Earlier, Dr. Sunday Attah, the Director who had been overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, welcomed the new PS and praised the competence and experience of the ministry’s workforce.
“The ministry is made up of capable hands with vast experience,” Attah said. “The management and staff will work closely with you, learn under your leadership, and give you all the cooperation needed to achieve your goals.”
The brief ceremony featured the formal signing of the handing-over and taking-over documents between Attah and Pheelangwa. The new Permanent Secretary was deployed to the Defence Ministry from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Giving the vote of thanks, the Director of Legal Services, Mohammed Hamza, assured Pheelangwa of the ministry’s full support, describing the staff as a “formidable team” committed to partnering with him to generate ideas, add value, and ensure success.
The event was attended by Directors and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, as well as representatives from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.