By Kingsley Nwezeh
In its determination to contain security challenges confronting the nation and strengthen the capacity of the armed forces to deliver, the federal government has sought the collaboration of Canada and Pakistan in the production of tanks, small arms and ammunition.
Speaking while receiving the Acting High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr Nicolas Simad, in his office, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), called for the assistance of Canada 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 production of more sophisticated military weapons and hardware.
This is coming on a day 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.
A statement by the minister’s office, said the minister, in seeking collaboration with Canada in arms manufacture, restated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the national territorial defence against the forces fueling insecurity in the country.
He listed the areas of common concerns to end violent extremism in the country and the support of Canada to entrenching stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria as parts 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 hardwares”, he said.
While lauding 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.
General Magashi said both countries were reaping the dividends of symbiotic diplomatic ties on win-win basis.
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 trainings and advocacy for protection of human rights.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has indicated interest to collaborate with the Pakistan Armed Forces (PAF) in the area of defence production capabilities to further boost its operations.
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.
The duo spoke on the imperative of embarking on defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms and ammunition, communication equipment amongst others.
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.
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.”
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.
The Pakistani defence 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.
General Raza added that AFN and PAF could also “collaborate in the area of defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of tanks, small arms and ammunition, communication equipment amongst others”.
Gen Raza added that there was need for both Armed Forces to share their individual experience in the fight against terrorism which according to him, Nigeria and Pakistan were faced with peculiar security challenges.
He reiterated that the PAF will continue to support the AFN in all areas of endeavours aimed at surmounting insecurity.
