ABUJA — The federal government has sought the collaboration of Canada and Pakistan in the production of tanks, small arms, and ammunition so as to contain security challenges confronting the nation.
Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd) while receiving the Acting High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Simad, in his office called for the assistance of Canada in driving national aspirations.
He also requested for the transfer of technology from Canada to boost the capabilities of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) towards production of more sophisticated military weapons and hardware.
A statement by the minister’s office said the minister restated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the national territorial defence against the forces fueling insecurity in the country.
“The areas of common concern to end violent extremism in the country are the support of Canada to entrenching stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria as part of diplomatic gains.”
“Moving forward the defence minister told the Canadian High Commissioner to assist in driving national aspirations and request for transfer of technology from Canada to boost the capabilities of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, DICON towards looking inward for the productions of more sophisticated military weapons and hardware.”
“The decades of military bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Canada he said the ties progressively and sustainably culminated in the formation of the Bi-National Commission in April 2012,” he said.
The acting High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria Nicholas Simard, who assumed duty six months ago, described Nigeria as a strategic partner with Canada especially in thematic areas of combating insecurity, joint military training, and advocacy for protection of human rights.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, called for collaboration with Pakistan in the area of defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms, and ammunition, communication equipment amongst others.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, stated this when he hosted the Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (PCJCSC), General Nadeem Raza, in Abuja.
They spoke on the imperative of embarking on defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms and ammunition, communication equipment amongst others.
According to Gen Irabor, “Pakistan stands a good ground for us (AFN) to improve on our defence production capabilities in local manufacturing of military hardware and equipment.”
A statement issued by Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the CDS affirmed that the AFN under his watch would further strengthen the long-existing strategic partnership with its Pakistan counterpart on human capacity building, acquisition of military platform and modern communication gadgets.
The CDS reiterated the commitment of the AFN towards partnering with both foreign and regional allies in other to build capacity of its personnel towards meeting the various security threats.
General Raza, the Pakistani defense chief said he was in Nigeria to seek ways on how to further deepen the scope of the defence cooperation between Pakistan Armed Forces and its Nigerian counterparts.
“Collaborate in the area of defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms and ammunition, communication equipment amongst others,” Raza said.
