News Agency of Nigeria
COAS announces speedy take-off of army battalion in Taraba

COAS announces speedy take-off of army battalion in Taraba

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Wednesday assured of a speedy take-off of the newly-established 114 Battalion in Wukari, Taraba to tackle insecurity in the state.

Lagbaja gave the assurance in Abuja when he received visiting Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba at the Army headquarters.

He said the move was part of efforts to enhance the operation and activities of the 6 Brigade of the army and expand the frontiers of peace and stability in the state.

The COAS also promised to ensure provision of more combat enablers for the 6 Brigade and the garrison to enhance their operations and activities.

“I will ensure the quick take-off of 114 Battalion in Taraba such that we have more troops on ground.

“The units and formations will be working with the state government, especially in applying non-kinetic measures that have already been adopted by the governor.

“We will ensure that we have peace in Taraba.

“The battalion designated in the order of battle, is currently established and conducting operations in the Northeast, in Borno.

“Looking beyond that, we will ensure the take-off of the rear unit of the 114 battalion in Taraba.

“So, as we get the next set of recruits from depot, we will muster some force and bring them to Taraba to facilitate the take-off of the rear unit of the battalion,” he said.

Lagbaja commended the governor for his readiness to provide more support for the 6 Brigade to ensure the reign of peace and stability in Taraba.

He said Army headquarters would work to ensure that whatever support was provided worked optimally for the overall peace of the state.

According to him, Taraba can be a springboard to facilitate peace and security in the entire northeast of Nigeria.

“I pledge the readiness, willingness and availability of the army to work with the state to further entrench peace and stability in Taraba and from there move to other parts of the Northeast,’’ he said.

Earlier, Gov. Kefas said his visit was to further solicit the support and collaboration of the army to address insecurity in Taraba. He commended the efforts of the army in stabilising the state so far.

Kefas noted that the security challenges confronting Taraba were unique considering its location as it shares borders with Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Gombe and Bauchi states.

He said the intention of the government was to prioritise and dominate the vast ungoverned spaces within its borders to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens.

The governor pledged the readiness of the government to provide more support for the army, considering the limited presence of the Navy and the Air Force in Taraba.

Kefas added that Taraba was also willing to assist in the take-off of the new battalion with the provision of land and infrastructure. (NAN) (www.nannews.Ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

 

OFAB partners senior editors to improve science communication

OFAB partners senior editors to improve science communication

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By Bukola Adewumi

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter, has engaged editors in the Nigeria media industry in an interactive session aimed at enhancing accurate science communication.

The interaction, which held in Lagos, was supported by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and hosted under the auspices of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

Ms. Sarah Melah, Information Officer for OFAB, in a statement said the workshop was to equip editors with a comprehensive understanding of Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety.

She said the goal was to ensure that decisions regarding Genetically Modified (GM) crops were rooted in evidence-based science, and policymakers’ choices were effectively conveyed to the public.

On her part, Mrs Iweajunwa  Ogochukwu, Head of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotech Awareness Unit, outlined the objectives, which was to keep the participants informed.

According to her, the workshop is to ensure participants stay updated on agricultural biotech developments.

She said that it would also correct misconceptions related to the safety of biotechnology.

Ogochukwu said it would also enhance the capacity of participants for more informed editorial decision-making regarding agricultural biotech matters.

Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General, NABDA, emphasised on the importance of public understanding and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology.

He said that it was a collective responsibility to provide accurate and fair information to Nigerians in order to enable them to make informed decisions about biotechnology applications.

Mustapha highlighted the media’s crucial role as a bridge connecting complex scientific discoveries with the broader society, translating technical language into understandable terms, and fostering informed discussions.

Dr Rose Gidado, Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NABDA, drew attention to Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change and its detrimental impact on agricultural production.

She underscored biotechnology’s potential to address challenges posed by climate change, such as heat, floods, and droughts.(NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

CSOs float network to combat illicit financial flows in Nigeria

CSOs float network to combat illicit financial flows in Nigeria

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By Angela Atabo

Two Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) on Wednesday floated a platform to combat illicit financial flows in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the platform known as the African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows(IFF) and Taxation (APNIFFT) was aimed at combating illicit financial flows in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director, CISLAC, said that the platform being coordinated by TJNA provided a platform for African members of parliaments to join efforts and chart a pan-African roadmap to tackle the challenges of IFFs and tax injustices.

“This is because IFFs and tax injustices have continued to drain the much-needed domestic resources to propel Africa’s development objectives as outlined in the African Union Agenda 2063,” he said.

He said that the inauguration of the Nigerian caucus would provide a coordinated structure that would enable members to collectively drive legislative interventions to curb IFFs and promote Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM).

“IFFs threatens economic stability and development and Africa has been on the receiving end of the effects for a long time, like many countries of the continent, Nigeria with its large market and population is faced with its large share of this act of corruption.

“It is estimated that about 90 billion dollars is lost annually to illicit financial flows in Africa, enabled by trade mis-invoicing, tax evasion among others, and Nigeria alone reportedly accounts for 20 per cent of this figure,” he said.

Rafsanjani said that with already dwindling resources for Africa to sufficiently fund its development needs and the struggle to mobilise domestic resources, IFFs had led to even more excessive losses from the continent.

He said that this was making African countries poorer and poorer and undermining economic growth and development efforts in African countries by reducing the funds available for public services, infrastructure, and poverty reduction.

“In all honesty, the global north can do better if it truly desires to empower Africa and self-fund its development. Rather than promote Africa’s dependence on foreign aid, the West can start to truly help by halting, punishing, and repatriating illicit outflows from Africa.

“But Africa cannot afford to fold its hands and wait for the West to fight her battle. Africa must take the battle against IFFs very seriously.

” It is in this light that initiatives like APNIFFT and other efforts on the continent to combat IFFs must be appreciated and supported to succeed,” he said.

Ms Ndidi Ashu, the Lead Monitoring Evaluation and Knowledge Management, TJNA, said the network was committed to promoting accountability and progressive taxation in Africa.

Ashu said the network worked in alignment with the African Union Agenda 2063 through key thematic areas comprising tax and international financial architecture, tax and investments tax and natural resources governance and tax and equity.

“We collaborate with leading researchers, policymakers, campaigners and CSOs to drive comprehensive change in tax policies, challenge detrimental investment practices, enhance international tax transparency, and restore African countries favouriety over natural resources,” she said.

Ashu said that APNIFFT had been inaugurated in 43 countries so far and would continue to partner with members of parliaments across the continent to address IFFs and domestic resource mobilisation challenges.

Ms Josephine Drabo, the West Africa Regional Coordinator, APNIFFT, said IFFs was detrimental to African countries’ continent and damaging.

Drabo said the concept of APNIFFT identified the importance of continental collaboration and networking, as well as the strategic roles of parliamentarians in championing the campaign against IFFs.

“Illicit financial flows is like a snake in the ocean and we need several hands on-board to be able to catch it,” she said

Dr Khanyisele Tshabalala, Chairperson, APNIFFT, said the amount lost in IFFs if curtailed would aid in building a developed continent and countries, adding that the aim was to have APNIFFT in all the African countries to build a sustainable economy for the continent.

“The fight against IFFs has to translate into the daily lives of every citizen in the continent.

“People are protesting it, amazing the kind of messages they send, we can’t buy bread, we can’t buy milk, the economy is hard, we lost our houses, times are hard for Africans.

“That is why this is crucial and it is time to rise and address it,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Fiscal Commission to engage stakeholders on implementation of FRA

Fiscal Commission to engage stakeholders on implementation of FRA

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By Victor Okoye

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) said it will hold a Stakeholders dialogue, on the implementation of sections of the Fiscal Responsibility Act that relates to lending by banks to governments and public institutions.

Mr Bede Anyanwu, FRC’s Head of Strategic Communications who stated this is in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the event would hold in Lagos on Saturday.

Anyanwu said that the event is expected to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders including banking institutions, government representatives, economists, academics and experts in fiscal governance.

He said that the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 (FRA), was Nigeria’s foremost legal framework for the promotion, monitoring and enforcement of fiscal discipline in the federation.

He said that the FRA stipulates that lending by banks to governments or their agencies in contravention of certain provisions of the Act shall be unlawful.

“Hence, the commission aims at using the Stakeholder Dialogue to refresh the attention of stakeholders to this provision of the Act.

“It also seeks to engender stakeholder agreement on ways to enhance compliance, and thereby improve the nation’s debt management practices,” Anyanwu said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

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(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

UNGA 2023: When Tinubu wooed the world

UNGA 2023: When Tinubu wooed the world

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By Cecilia Ologunagba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

For over 63 years, Nigeria has actively participated in the UN General Assembly as one of the prominent Member States of the global body.

The General Assembly is the main policy making and representative organ of the UN.

It is composed of representatives of the 193 Member States and other entities which meet in sessions dedicated to discussions on current issues of critical importance to the international community.

The Assembly is also said to be the largest networking gathering, where Member States take advantage of the massive turnout to engage in bilateral and multilateral meetings as well as side events, among others.

Ending the war in Ukraine, promoting climate action and ramping up efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) topped the agenda of the High Level Week.

This year, the Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, joined other world leaders to contribute to the global discourse, highlighting the achievements of his country in contributing to global peace, prosperity and sustainability.

Tinubu, who was sworn in as 16th President of Nigeria on May 29, in his inaugural speech to the Assembly, urged UN member States to demonstrate more commitment to the crackdown against terror financing.

He also urged them to show commitment to curb economic sabotage, and illicit mineral and arms smuggling in the developing world.

The president said his aggressive economic development diplomatic push for new investment has been demonstrably effective in presenting Nigeria as business-ready, adding that the ease of doing business was not the major challenge to large scale investment.

“The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner.

‘’Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of quality African exports, and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we desire,” the Tinubu said.

Demonstrating his push for investment, Tinubu met with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and the President of Angola João Lourenço.

He also had audience with, President of Union of Comotros, Azali Assoumani, King of Jordan, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and the Secretary-General  of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Hissein Taha, on the sidelines of the session.

The Nigerian leaders also met with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, and with business community in the U.S. as well as Nigerians living in the U.S, among others.

Discussing with his South African counterpart, Ramaphosa on stronger economic and regional ties, Tinubu said South African Mining industries had a role to play in the Nigerian solid minerals development sector.

‘’Your business community has done well in Nigerian Telecommunications. We have great mineral wealth across our land, and you have good expertise in this area.

“We expect to deliver jobs and mutually beneficial results in this area as brother and sister countries,” the President said.

Ramaphosa agreed that the two countries have much more wealth to create together in close and intentional partnership, with each nation leveraging each other’s respective strengths.

Also, meeting with Taha, Tinubu reiterated that the Islamic world has a strategic role to play in the sustenance of peace and development in Africa, and across the globe.

‘’I am ready to collaborate with you. Your effort in supporting agricultural growth and food security through the provision of resources from Islamic banks has been most commendable and our region is appreciative.

‘’I am determined to work with you in uplifting Nigerians and Africans,” the President said.

Meanwhile, at Nigeria-U.S. Executive Business Roundtable, Tinubu assured prospective investors of his administration’s determination to adopt necessary fiscal and regulatory measures toward the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

He said that was the reason behind his bringing successful Nigerian industrialists and public officials to share their experiences and operational plans, respectively.

Tinubu said this was in addition to all he had done to boost the confidence of the global investment community in Nigeria, by reforming the fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policy environment.

Boosting the confidence of global investment, the Nigerian leader rang bell at the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (NASDAQ) in New York.

Tinubu, while performing the task, was in company of some Nigerian business leaders and officials of the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX).

The President also used the opportunity, presented by the historic moment, to advance his foreign investment push in front of financial markets at the famous stock exchange.

Also meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora, Tinubu assured then that Nigeria is home for business opportunities and that they should contribute their quota by investing in the country.

According to him, change of mind is important in achieving success in all their endeavours.

In addition to Tinubu’s participation, the Nigerian delegation also participated in other high-level events such as High-level dialogue on Financing for Development; High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.

The delegation attended Climate Ambition Summit, convened by the Secretary-General; the Ministerial meeting of the Summit of the Future; High-level meeting of the Universal Health Coverage,.

Also, the delegation participated in High-level meeting of the on the fight Against Tuberculosis.

The Minister of State for Environment, Kunle Salako, who was part of the president’s entourage, spoke on the efforts to mitigate the impact of Climate Change, noting the decision by Tinubu’s administration to remove fuel subsidy.

According to him, removal of fuel subsidy has reduced the country’s consumption rate by about 33 per cent.

“I had highlighted this development in some of the meetings I attended or represented the President and at the meeting of Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change and at the meeting of Commonwealth Ministers of Environment and Climate.

“Nigeria participated in the meeting of Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change where I represented President to pass a resolution to adopt the Nairobi Declaration for final vetting by the meeting of AU.

“I also represented the president at the first meeting of Commonwealth Ministers of Environment and Climate.

“During the meeting the ministers decided to approach the 28th Conference of Parties in Dubai come late November to early December with common front of pushing for better financing for climate action’’, he said.

While commending the president on his maiden outing, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris said Tinubu’s the outing showed that Nigeria is back to the fold of great nations.

“It appears that the world is welcoming Nigeria back to its fold. So much is happening, and Nigeria is being expected to lead the way. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has just done that.

“Nigeria is becoming a very important nation once again, taking its rightful place, President Bola Tinubu didn’t speak for Nigeria, but for the rest of Africa,” said the minister.

Idris described the president’s outing as fantastic because it demonstrated the leadership position he has taken in Africa, being the ECOWAS President. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria

FG gives two-week timeline for passport issuance

FG gives two-week timeline for passport issuance

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By Yahaya Isah

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced a two-week timeline for the issuance of passports, saying the era when Nigerians waited for months to get their passports was over.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the timeline in Abuja while briefing newsmen on his earlier directive to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to clear more than 204,000 backlogs of passport applications.

The minister apologised to Nigerians that clearance of the backlog had spilled into three weeks, as opposed to the earlier two weeks deadline he gave.

Tunji-Ojo lauded officers and men of the NIS for efforts made so far and charged them to work round-the-clock and on public holidays and weekends to achieve his directive.

He said while the procurement of visas was a privilege, acquisition of a passport was the right of every Nigerian.

He also expressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu not to increase the cost of passport issuance in spite of foreign exchange volatility.

“On Sept. 7, we made a promise to sort out the backlogs in two weeks, but we made it in three weeks and I sincerely want to apologise to Nigerians for that.

“The `Renewed Hope’ administration of President Bola Tinubu is one that matches its words with actions.

“The issue of passport must be a right and not a privilege. Visa is a privilege but passport is a right,’’ the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo stressed that with that new development, the Federal Government had been able to hand over the rights of Nigerians to them.

“For us, we are sure that if it can work at the NIS, it can work anywhere else. Nigeria is undergoing a process.

“We inherited 204,332 enrolments without passport issuance.

“We gave a marching order because the president is also on our necks to bring solutions and succour to Nigerians,’’ he said.

He explained that after strategic meetings with NIS officials and with service providers, the service was able to increase printing machines in passport offices from two to four at no cost.

“The NIS personnel were running three shifts, working round-the-clock to ensure that the backlogs were cleared and to ensure that never again would the issue of backlogs resurface.

“We want to ensure that nobody waits for more than two weeks to get his or her passport.

“As of Oct. 1, we had cleared all the 204,332 backlogs and from records produced by the NIS, passports already collected were 91,981. Outstanding, but available are 112,351 passports,’’ Tunji-Ojo said.

The minister pleaded with Nigerians to endeavour to collect their passports, adding that Nigerians should not give money to a third party to process passport applications, no matter the circumstance.

“If there is any passport office where you have done your biometrics and it does not give you your passport, please complain through telephone number 0802 375 3414, preferably SMS and Whatsapp. Or email aa-ajiboye@yahoo.com

“The attitude of a very negligible fraction of NIS officers will not cast aspersions on the work of the majority of good officers,’’ he stressed.

The minister said also that he had perused all contracts and agreements the ministry and its agencies entered into with service providers.

He promised that in the next couple of months, passport applicants would be able to upload their passport photographs via NIS portal, rather than going to passport offices for such registration.

According to him, applicants would only be required to visit the passport offices for their biometrics enrolment.

“Hopefully by December, people will not need to go to passport offices to take pictures.

“This is 2023. People will be able to upload their passport photographs online with specifications. That is what is done for visa applications; we are advancing in that direction.

“Also, your supporting documents should be uploaded online so that when you go to the passport office, it will just be for biometrics and within five minutes you are done,’’ he explained.

The minister said the new steps were designed to end the era when passport applicants spent whole days at passport offices.

Tunji-Ojo added that in the new system, the passport office would be able to process more than 400 applications daily, a departure from the past.

“These are some of the innovations we are bringing. While we know what the exchange rate is, we are not increasing passport fees.

“The present administration understands the needs of the people. As a person, I do not want anybody to go and stay in a passport office for more than 10 minutes,” Tunji-Ojo told newsmen. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Alli Hakeem

INEC to transmit Bayelsa guber poll results manually

INEC to transmit Bayelsa guber poll results manually

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By Shedrack Frank

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to transmit results of the Nov.11 Bayelsa governorship election manually.

The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr Obo Effanga, stated this in Yenagoa on Wednesday, during an interactive section with religious leaders and faith based organisations.

Effanga said that INEC was ready to conduct free, fair and credible election and only voters accredited by BVAS would be allowed to vote.

“Immediately you are given the ballot paper you can start voting.

“We are in the fourth week of collection of PVCs and it will end on Oct. 11. Those who have not collected their cards should go to INEC office in their local government areas,” he said.
Effanga urged the stakeholders to advise their candidates to be peaceful.

“Religious leaders should take the message to their congregation and politicians who are also Church members,’’ he said.

He said that 16 political parties had fielded candidates for the election.

Rev. Joseph Belema, one of the religious leaders commended INEC, stressing that free, fair and credible election was a way forward for electing good leaders.

He called on the candidates not to see election as a do or die affair, adding that only one person would be elected.(NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Stay away from Kogi politics, GOC warns soldiers

Stay away from Kogi politics, GOC warns soldiers

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By Thompson Yamput

Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Ali-Alabi, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigeria Army, Ibadan, on Wednesday warned army personnel in Kogi to steer clear of politics.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN) reports that the GOC gave the warning while addressing officers and men during his familiarisation visit to 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army,  Lokoja.

The GOC tasked the officers and men to be professional in carrying out their duties during the Nov. 11 Governorship Election in the state.

Ali-Alabi said as soldiers, they have no business with partisan politics, as such anyone who gets involved will face the consequences.

“As soldiers you have no business with politics so you must remain neutral and not get partisan in the forthcoming Kogi governorship election of Nov.11.

“You must be disciplined and professional at all times as you do your work.

“You’re here to help other security operatives in overcoming the security challenges and securing and keeping the peace of the state and Nigeria as a whole,” he added.

The GOC assured the personnel of his support to the good work they were doing in the state, so that they could achieve more.

“The commanding officer has intimated me of your achievements and challenges, which by God’s grace shall be tackled to encourage you to perform better. We thank you so much for your good works.

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is interested in equipping and training of officers of the Nigerian Army as a motivational force towards general administration in line with his command philosophy,” he said.

Ali-Alabi said that what was key to the COAS was seeing that the troops were well motivated to carry out their responsibilities of keeping the peace and securing the nation.

NAN reports that the GOC also inspected the newly constructed Regimental Sergeant Major residence within the Brigade, and the Commander’s Guest House in Lokongoma area of Lokoja.

He also visited the Forward Operation Base (FOB), Adogo in Ajaokuta and 109 Special Forces Battalion FOB in Okene, where he addressed the troops. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Youth minister pledges to champion Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

Youth minister pledges to champion Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

206 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

Dr Jamila Ibrahim, newly screened Minister of Youth, has expressed her unwavering commitment to realising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the youths of Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists after her screening in Abuja on Wednesday, Ibrahim emphasised the importance of youth inclusion in government decision-making.

“The President has heard the youth loud and clear by appointing me as the Minister of Youth.

“During the general elections, we clamoured for inclusion in government, to be at the decision-making table.

“The President has granted our request through my nomination as a minister and Minister of State for Youth, alongside other youthful cabinet members.”

Ibrahim, however, said that the cabinet nomination was just the beginning, indicating that more young individuals will assume leadership roles as heads of government agencies and departments.

Upon assuming office, Ibrahim stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive diagnosis of youth challenges to actively engage young people in the decision-making process.

She said: “If we want to plan for the future, young people must have input into the process. It is an all-inclusive approach aimed at ensuring that we involve more young people in shaping a prosperous future.”

Addressing concerns about her ability to lead the youth effectively, Ibrahim said: “Leadership is a lifestyle, not just a role or task.

“It is a journey that takes years and a process from envisioning oneself as a leader to leading others towards a common vision.”

She also unveiled her plan for periodic engagement with the youth, emphasising that while she couldn’t specify the frequency, these engagements would address issues relevant to young people, demonstrating her dedication to advancing their interests. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Turkey promises to partner NAF, transfer defence technology

Turkey promises to partner NAF, transfer defence technology

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hidayet Bayraktar, has expressed the readiness of Turkey to deepen the existing defence collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through transfer of defence technology.

Bayraktar said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Headquarters NAF, on Wednesday in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in Abuja.

The Ambassador said that Turkey had, over the years, collaborated with the NAF and would not relent in ensuring that the partnership was taken to a much higher level.

He also assured that his country would not only sell defence products to the NAF but would be happy to assist the NAF develop its capacity to manufacture and maintain some of the products.

Bayraktar promised to ensure the delivery of TK-1 helicopters to the NAF as scheduled as well as ensuring their sustenance through an effective maintenance strategy with the NAF.

Responding, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, thanked the Ambassador for his assurances and noted that the NAF would leverage on the opportunities presented to improve its Research and Development (R&D) drive.

Abubakar added that the offer of technology transfer aptly aligned with one of the key enablers of his Command Philosophy, which prioritised R&D leveraging cutting-edge technology as well as lessons learnt.

He said that the support of the Turkish Government was key to sustaining the ongoing country insurgency operations in Nigeria and implored the ambassador to use his office to help fast-track the delivery of the six TK-1 helicopters to Nigeria.

The CAS emphasised the painstaking resolve of the NAF to capitalise on the prospects presented by key partners to develop and enhance NAF’s capability to effectively secure the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Highlight of the visit include the symbolic laying of wreath by the Ambassador at the NAF Memorial Arcade in honour NAF personnel who paid the ultimate price in the defence of Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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