NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
DHQ prioritises civilian protection during operations
Defence/Security

DHQ prioritises civilian protection during operations

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By Sumaila Ogbaje 

In a significant step towards minimising harm to non-combatants, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising civilian protection during military operations.

This was demonstrated with the hosting of the Civilian Harm Mitigation Seminar organised by the DHQ in conjunction with the US Institute for Security Governance, in Abuja.

In his remarks at the closing of the seminar on Wednesday, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole, said the protection of civilians during operations was paramount to the military.

Bankole said that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, had placed a high premium on safeguarding civilians, emphasising that the protection of innocent lives was a top priority in all military operations.

“Civilian mitigation is critical to our operations right now.

“As you are aware, unfortunately, Nigeria has been fighting an insurgency for the last 15 years and has been fought in mostly populated civilian areas.

“Some of the civilians are used as collateral damages or are being forced.

“That is why the CDS in his wisdom, as part of his command philosophy, noted that he will be human-centric or people-centric in his philosophy.

“So there is a need for us to care for civilians and that is why the Institute of Security Governance from the USA now decided to team up with the Defence Headquarters Department of Civil Military Relations to sensitise and educate our men on civilian arm mitigation,” he said.

Bankole said the two-day intensive training was designed towards sharing lessons learned for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to learn from.

According to him, this is close to the heart of the CDS who wants to protect the civilians and make sure that nobody is discriminated against.

He said the course had participants from all the theatres of operations and all the services to sensitise them on the need to protect civilians, infrastructure, as well as protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

Bankole said the DHQ had enhanced its non-kinetic efforts, recognising the importance of collaboration with local communities to be able to win the war against terrorism and other forms of security threats.

He thanked the team of experts from the US for the impactful training, urging the participants to adequately apply the knowledge gained in achieving the operational aims of the military in their various places of operation.

The Country Lead, US Institute for Security Government (ISG), retired Maj.-Gen. Miguel Castellanos, said that civilian harm mitigation was a joint effort of all actors, especially the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Castellanos urged them to enhance cooperation to coordinate and understand each other’s strengths to be able to succeed.

He reiterated the commitment of the organisation to continue to partner the Nigerian military to further strengthen its capacity in other areas. (NAN) 

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Military more determined than ever to go after terrorists – CDS
Defence/Security

Military more determined than ever to go after terrorists – CDS

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military is more determined than ever to go after all terrorists to restore peace and stability in the country.

Musa gave the assurance at the Defence Headquarters Psychological Operations Workshop with the theme “Defence Headquarters Influence Operations: Optimising Psychological Operations for Efficiency in a Joint Environment” on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that there was a need for enhanced non-kinetic activities, particularly psychological operations, to shape the environment in favour of the ultimate aim of all on-going operations.

According to him, the workshop is timely, given the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing importance of influencing perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours.

He said the nation had in recent times, grappled with complex security challenges and threats which had brought to the fore some occurrences that threaten the peace and security of the nation.

These, he added, had undoubtedly continued to test the resolve of the Nigerian people and the capacity of security agencies to discharge their constitutional roles.

The CDS said the tactics of the non-state actor of indiscriminate violence against innocent citizens had continually created fear and despair amongst the populace.

He said the prevalent threats in Nigeria’s internal security landscape will not be tackled through kinetic operations alone, due largely to the continuous mutation in the nature and character of the threats.

“This situation therefore presumes that the threat has since gone beyond purely traditional military actions but requires a combination of robust and well-coordinated non-kinetic efforts by all the stakeholders to support our kinetic actions.

“From the kinetic perspective, troops have continued to deny insurgents/terrorists freedom of action despite isolated attacks on troops’ locations.

“With the recent changes in some of the commands in the theatres, we expect new strategies to further destroy the capacities of the terrorists to attack troops’ locations and isolated communities.

“We are more than ever determined to go after all the non-state actors to restore peace and stability in the country.

“In the same vein, we need non-kinetic activities, particularly psychological operations, to shape the environment in favour of the ultimate aim of all on-going operations,” he said.

The Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mohammed Bulama urged the military and other security agencies to find ways to end the killings within the country and restore peace.

Bulama said the solutions and resolutions from the workshop would contribute in entrenching peace and stability in the country

He said that Nigeria had over the past decade, faced and still facing one of the greatest security challenges in its history.

“As much as I am aware that such security threats are usually difficult to tackle, I have never doubted the capabilities of the Nigerian armed forces and all government security and intelligence agencies in eradicating these security challenges.

“This is evident in the successes that have been recorded so far in the various theatres of operations across the country.

“In recent times, however, the news of insecurity within the nation’s internal security landscape has made headlines in most of our print and electronic media outlets, especially the social media.

“I must therefore observe that the armed forces has done and is still doing a lot to stem the rising insecurity across the country, despite its limited resources,” he said.

Bulama called for timely but workable solutions that convinced Nigerians that the government was committed to its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

He said the federal government has so far demonstrated strong political will to end the menace of insecurity in the country.

The FRCN boss charged the military to counter radicalisation, win hearts and minds in conflict zones and counter misinformation by utilising AI, social media, and analytics to monitor sentiment, track propaganda, and measure impact. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

EU, Germany donate ICT equipment to National Defence College
Defence/Security

EU, Germany donate ICT equipment to National Defence College

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By Sumaila Ogbaj

The European Union (EU) and German Government have donated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the National Defence College, Nigeria (NDC) to enhance defence and security education in West Africa.

The equipment was donated through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to boost activities of the NDC’s Centre for Strategic Research and Studies being designated as an ECOWAS Centre of Excellence.

The equipment include Newline 75″: TT-7522Z-UC 75″ Interactive Screen; Digital Simultaneous language Interpretation System; Digital IR Language Distribution System VIS; computers and printers among others.

In his remarks, the Commandant, NDC, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the equipment would help increase the college’s capacity and advance its renewed peace and security governance efforts.

Olotu said that the NDC, being the highest military institution in Nigeria and a designated centre of excellence, had continued to support professional training at a strategic level in West Africa, and also for the armed forces.

According to him, the NDC has been at the forefront of professional military education and training for senior military and civilian officers from Nigeria and other allied countries.

The commandant noted further that the college ensured that these officers acquired the strategic acumen necessary for both national and international security assignments at strategic levels.

He said that the donated state-of-the-art ICT equipment would play a pivotal role in modernising the college’s training capability.

Olotu added that the equipment would ensure that the staff are well-equipped to navigate today’s complex security challenges and continue to excel in their vital roles.

“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to innovation and the enduring strength of our college.

“And I must commend our strategic partners, the EU, the Government of Germany through GIZ, ECOWAS and other partners that have worked together collectively to bring this day to reality.

“Your commitment not only enhances our capacity to impart knowledge, but also empowers us to continue our mission in the field of research by providing quality solutions to our governments in the ECOWAS subregion.

“These quality solutions are to enable governments in the ECOWAS subregion to navigate the increasingly complex global security landscape,” he said.

The Head of Cooperation, German Embassy in Nigeria, Dr Karin Jansen, said the donation was a testament to their shared commitment to fostering peace, security and development in West Africa.

Jansen said the ICT tools would play a vital role in the new ECOWAS Peace, Security, and Governance Project, which focused on strengthening cooperation of ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence, as well as strengthening their digitalisation.

According to her, those centres will now be better equipped to serve as hubs for policy coordination, planning and training in digital areas, including gender equality warning.

She added that the centres would also enable security sector reforms and governance, elections and democracy, human rights and compliance, and accountability framework for peace and board operations.

“These tools are well-positioned to address the evolving security challenges in the region and ensure that ECOWAS continues to lead in shaping peace and security strategies,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Reuben Alba, Acting Head of Cooperation, EU, said the donation was a long overdue milestone that would strengthen the capacity of professionals across the ECOWAS member states in promoting peace and security.

Alba said it was vital that institutions like the NDC kept adapting to meet both national, regional, but also global challenges.

According to him, the arrival of the tools shows their shared commitment to improve both the quality and impact of the education of both current and future leaders in the region.

“This equipment will contribute to identifying operational gaps and will also help you to strengthen commitment to improve both capacity and capabilities,” he said.

Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director, Peacekeeping and Regional Security, ECOWAS Commission, commended the German government and EU for their commitment to peace and security in West Africa.

He assured of ECOWAS commitment to executing all the projects being sponsored by their partners in promoting peace, security and development in the ECOWAS sub-region. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Defending the Nation, Building the Future: Nigeria’s Local Defence Production Revolution
Features

Defending the Nation, Building the Future: Nigeria’s Local Defence Production Revolution

584 total views today

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Nigeria’s defence sector is undergoing a significant transformation. The country is shifting its focus from reliance on foreign defence equipment to developing its local defence production capabilities.

This revolution is not only strengthening Nigeria’s national security but also contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.

For decades, Nigeria’s defence sector has been heavily reliant on foreign equipment and expertise. This has resulted in a significant drain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and limited the development of local defence industries.

The lack of self-sufficiency in defence production has also compromised Nigeria’s national security, as the country has been vulnerable to arms embargoes and supply chain disruptions.

In recent years, Nigeria has made significant strides in developing its local defence production capabilities. The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has been at the forefront of this effort, producing a range of defence equipment, including small arms, ammunition, and military vehicles.

The Nigerian Army has also established several local production facilities, including the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC), which produces military vehicles, and the Nigerian Army Armaments Corporation (NAAC), which produces small arms and ammunition.

The development of Nigeria’s local defence production capabilities is having a significant impact on the country’s national security and economic growth. By reducing reliance on foreign defence equipment, Nigeria is improving its self-sufficiency in defence production and reducing its vulnerability to arms embargoes and supply chain disruptions.

The local defence production revolution is also contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and development. The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and other local defence production facilities are creating jobs, generating revenue, and stimulating economic activity in local communities.

The local defence industries and Military Industrial Complex (MICs) in Nigeria are making significant efforts to enhance the country’s defence capabilities.

The DICON established in 1964, is Nigeria’s primary defence manufacturer, producing arms, ammunition, and other military equipment. They have partnered with foreign companies, like NEANY of the US, to explore new innovations and technologies in fighting insecurity.

In line with the avowed commitment of President Bola Tinubu to strengthen the nation’s defence industries, he recently signed into law the News DICON Act 2023. The new DICON Act has several key provisions that aim to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industry.

Some of the highlights of the new act is the establishment of Subsidiaries and Ordnance Factories. The Act empowers DICON to operate, maintain, and control subsidiaries and ordnance factories to manufacture, store, and dispose of ordnance and ancillary stores and material.

The Act establishes the Defence Industry Technology, Research, and Development Institute (DITRDI) to promote research and development in Nigeria’s defence industry.

The Act provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for the manufacturing, distribution, storage, and disposal of defence articles in Nigeria. It also incentivizes the development of a financing architecture that enables private capital to facilitate research, development, and production in the defence sector.

The Act provides for the membership, proceedings, and contractual powers of the Corporation, ensuring good corporate governance.

Overall, the new DICON Act aims to promote Nigeria’s defence industry, enhance national security, and support economic growth and development.

Local manufacturing firms like EPAIL Ltd, Proforce Nigeria Limited, and others are investing heavily in local manufacturing defence gadgets and equipment, such as bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, and light Armoured Assault Vehicles.

The Nigerian government is promoting partnerships between local defence industries and foreign companies to enhance technology transfer and capacity building.

These efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to developing its local defence industries and MICs, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign imports and enhance national security.

Equipment and Protective Applications International Ltd (EPAIL) and Proforce Nigeria Limited are two prominent defence manufacturing companies in Nigeria.

EPAIL is a Nigerian company that specialises in the production of military and paramilitary equipment, including Ballistic helmets, Bulletproof vests, Anti-riot gear, Tactical gear, Automatic Weapons System, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), Mines Resistant Anti-Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles and Drones among others

The firm aims to provide high-quality, locally manufactured equipment to meet the needs of Nigeria’s security agencies.

Proforce Nigeria Limited on the other hand, is a Nigerian defence company that designs, manufactures, and supplies a range of military vehicles, equipment, and accessories, including: Armoured personnel carriers, Mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, Armoured SUVs, and Tactical vehicles

Proforce has partnered with international companies to provide cutting-edge technology and solutions to the Nigerian military and other security agencies.

Both EPAIL and Proforce are contributing significantly to Nigeria’s efforts to develop its local defence industries and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

DICON in Kaduna has made significant progress in recent times.

DICON is expected to receive new machines to improve its production capacity. This development is expected to enhance the corporation’s ability to manufacture defence equipment and gadgets locally.

The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, recently visited DICON’s facilities in Kaduna, where he expressed satisfaction with the level of work done. He also commended companies like Proforce and EPAIL for investing in local manufacturing of defence gadgets and equipment.

DICON has also launched ‘Operation We Must Produce’, an initiative aimed at boosting production in the ordnance factory. The operation focuses on repairing machines, providing support to staff, and these developments indicate that DICON is making strides in enhancing its production capacity and contributing to Nigeria’s defence and security needs.

Speaking on the local defence capabilities, a former Director of Defence Information, retired Maj.-Gen. Christopher Olukolade, said that DICON had demonstrated capacity to provide local solutions to the nation’s defence needs.

He said that defence industry as a highly regulated industry pays highest premium to standard, adding that more investment in research and development was required to boost technical capacity of the local firms to meet the set standards.

Nigeria’s local defence production revolution is a significant development that is strengthening the country’s national security and contributing to its economic growth and development.

As Nigeria continues to build its defence industries, it is likely to emerge as a major player in the global defence sector.

The Nigerian government has also enacted the Act to promote local defence production, which was endorsed by President Bola Tinubu in November 2023. This legislation aims to strengthen Nigeria’s military industrial complex by promoting local production.

These developments indicate a significant shift towards local defence production in Nigeria, with the government taking concrete steps to reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and promote indigenous production.

While there are opportunities for economic growth, there are also challenges to be addressed. These include the need for significant investment in research and development, infrastructure, and human capacity building.

Additionally, the government needs to create an enabling environment for local defence production to thrive while the various services of the armed forces should work with the local players to develop capacity, build trust and confidence and ensure patronage to provide local solutions to our local challenges.(NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

UK reaffirms strong defence ties with Nigeria
Defence/Security

UK reaffirms strong defence ties with Nigeria

445 total views today

By Hamza Suleiman

UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker has reaffirmed the longstanding defence partnership between his country and Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and counter insurgency operation in the North-East.

Coaker, who is on a working visit to Nigeria, stated this at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

The minister accompanied by other senior officials of the UK government, highlited the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries to address security challenges.

“The presence of the Honour Guard was a moving experience, symbolising the respect and partnership between the Nigerian and British militaries.

“His Majesty’s Government recognises Nigeria as a key ally and a leader in West Africa. Together, we stand for democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” Coaker said.

 

UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker visits Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Theater Commander, Joint Task Force OPHK

The minister reiterated the UK government commitment to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and shared impact of global security challenges.

“Your conflict is our conflict and your security is our security. The work you are doing to combat terrorism, particularly through initiatives like Operation Hadin Kai, is commendable.

“We are proud to provide training, expertise and equipment to support your efforts,” he said.

Coaker listed the UK’s contributions to counter-insurgency operations to include counter improvised explosive devices training, provision of equipment, and mentorship towards the establishment of the Counter-IED Coordination Cell in the North-East.

Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Theatre Commander, OPHK, commended the UK for its sustained support in combating insurgency in the region.

UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker visits headquarters of the Joint Task Force OPHK in Maiduguri

He described the visit as a testament to the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and the UK.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lord Vernon Coaker and his distinguished entourage to Maiduguri, the ‘Home of Peace,’ which also hosts the Headquarters of JTF (NE) OPHK.

“This visit validates the strong partnership between our nations.”

Shaibu said the mandate of the task force was to restore normalcy to the region, provide enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive, as well as resettlement of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

He noted that the fulfilment of the task force mandate required not only material resources but also regular training and retraining of troops to keep them updated on evolving security challenges.

Technical session during the UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker visit to the Joint Task Force OPHK in Maiduguri

The commander lauded the establishment of the Counter-IED Coordination Cell, supported by the UK, which became a hub for intelligence gathering and dismantling insurgent IED networks.

“This hub, equipped with detection tools, laptops, tactical intelligence kits, and other resources, has been vital in detecting, neutralising, and disarming IEDs effectively,” he said.

Shaibu also commended the Instructor Development Programme being implemented in collaboration with BDS-WA, to fast track training of personnel from Nigeria and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker visits Joint Task Force OPHK in Maiduguri

“The programme fosters synergy and camaraderie among troops from the Lake Chad Basin countries, strengthening regional cooperation,” he said, adding that the UK government’s timely and relevant support were imperative towards achieving the task force mandate. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

HMS/ISHO/ RSA

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Rabiu Sani-Ali

Appraising the impact of local players in defence production in Nigeria
Features

Appraising the impact of local players in defence production in Nigeria

547 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Local players are indeed making an impact in Nigeria’s defence production.

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) is a key player in this sector, and it has been working to increase its local manufacturing and production capabilities.

In fact, the Nigerian government has set a target for DICON to become 40 per cent self-sufficient in local manufacturing and production of defence equipment by 2027.

DICON, established in 1964, is tasked with producing essential military hardware, including small arms, ammunition, and armoured vehicles.

This is a significant step towards reducing the country’s reliance on foreign defense imports.

Some local companies, such as E-PAIL Nigeria and Proforce Nigeria Limited are already making impressive contributions to Nigeria’s defence production.

For example, E-PAIL has produced Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (M-RAP) vehicles and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and made significant milestone in bolstering Nigeria’s fight against insecurity by delivering 20 cutting-edge Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles (LTAVs) to the Defence Headquarters in the cause of the year.

The company officially handed over the LTAVs, equipped with advanced weapons and communication systems, to revolutionise military operations, enabling early detection of adversaries and effective engagement while ensuring seamless coordination.

According to E-PAIL Chairman, Kola Balogun, the presentation demonstrated the growing involvement of indigenous industries in strengthening Nigeria’s defence technology.

Speaking with NAN on the development, Balogun said the nation has a very good footprint with the new DICON law, aimed at creating an enabling environment for the local player to make significant impact in developing capabilities.

He, however, said that the implementation of the law was key to achieving the desired end by making sure that DICON remains an unbiased umpire over issuing of license, standard and compliance.

“In the process, we will now be able to domesticate global standards to domestic standards to address our peculiarity.

“However, as a company, we are already making a serious impact on the defence industry with some of our newly developed equipment like anti-mine vehicle, light armoured vehicles with so much sophistication.

“(This will) address our peculiarity because there are some things that you might put as a capability feature to address some of the inadequacies we have in the previous equipment.

“These efforts can only be complemented if we have sufficient support, sufficient research and sufficient patronage from all the services.

“These are things that will keep boosting our morale as private investors in the defense industry to invest more because there are people who are going to make use of it,” he said.

Balogun, who is the Secretary General, of the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN), said the efforts of the local players had aided remarkable victory recorded by the military in the frontline.

He said that domesticating technology was the best way to address the peculiarity of the nation’s security dynamics, adding that building local capability into the enhancement was a way to deal with such local peculiarities.

Balogun called on the Federal Government to draw a pure guideline on incentive that would enhance local capabilities in form of intervention needed for the local players to compete favourably.

He said that Nigeria could also export defence equipment to its neighbouring countries through local players if fully supported.

“We have started well by creating enabling laws, but that is not the first time. We want the government to further strengthen their deployment strategy in such a way that it will give sufficient benefit to the local investment.

“There is also the need for sufficient control so that we can become a formidable defence industry that will be second to none in the world.

“We want to encourage the government to reduce the bureaucratic bottleneck surrounding the revamping of our steel industry because the defence industry generally relies on steel.

“It is steel related right from the ammunition, arms, missiles, vehicles, everything.”

On his part, the Business Development Manager of Proforce, Mr Kayode Nariwo, said that Proforce had produced different military platforms in support of the current onslaught against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

Nariwo said that the Nigerian Army had taken delivery of several PF ARA Mines Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAPS) vehicles as well as a few PF VIPERS.

He added that the Defence Headquarters also took delivery of 15 PF Vipers while the Nigerian Air Force commissioned Proforce’s Armoured Buffalos (IACVs) Improvised Armoured Combat Vehicles.

“The PF ARA is a 15 tonnes MRAP which was deployed to the North East at the peak of the war against Boko Haram since 2018 while the PF Vipers is a 9 tonnes MRAP and has been deployed recently in the Northwest part of Nigeria,’’ he said.

On the new DICON Act, Nariwo said the new act was meant to provide local producers with better chances and opportunities, saying their expectations were high with services chiefs’ desire to use home-made solutions.

“This is a lesson from the war between Ukraine and Russia which places more emphasis on local solutions.

“The combination of the new DICON Act and Executive Order 5 will give leverage to Local manufacturers.

“The most important thing is to make sure the platforms meet international standards. Another advantage for the Armed Forces is availability of spare parts and after sales services that local manufacturers provide.

“One major challenge is convincing the military that we have developed capacity to take on their requests. Another challenge is competing with foreign made platforms as well as the issues with typical infrastructure, cost of power and access to forex.”

He added that there were enormous prospects for local players with the current military leadership being Pro-Local producers as well as the willingness of International Organisations to partner with local firms for Technology Transfer (ToT).

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, recently presided over the inaugural board meeting of the DICON, marking a significant step toward revitalising the nation’s defence manufacturing sector.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, followed the enactment of the DICON Act 2023 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in September 2023.

The legislation aims to modernise and expand DICON’s operations, furthering Nigeria’s ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in defence production.

The board meeting brought together top military officials, service chiefs, and representatives, including those from the Nigeria Police Force, to discuss strategies for enhancing DICON’s role in national security.

In his remarks, Matawalle underscored DICON’s central role in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure, saying that all DICON factories must produce towards achieving the vision of self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.

He emphasised the importance of partnerships with local industries to foster job creation, employment, and enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities.

He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to supporting DICON as a critical component of Nigeria’s military industrial complex.

DICON’s expanded mandate under the new law aligns with Nigeria’s goals of reducing dependency on foreign arms imports, enhancing national security, and fostering industrial growth.

Recent advancements, such as the production of armoured vehicles and personnel carriers, reflect the corporation’s increasing role in Africa’s defence manufacturing landscape as well underscores the significant role the private sector will play in this milestone. (NANFeatures)

 

Indonesia, Nigeria deepening defence, counter-terrorism collaboration — Envoy
Foreign

Indonesia, Nigeria deepening defence, counter-terrorism collaboration — Envoy

500 total views today

By Mark Longyen

Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Usra Harahap, says both countries share similar defence and security experiences and interests, and are working closely to deepen collaboration against terrorism.

The ambassador, a retired Air Vice Marshal in the Indonesian military, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Harahap stated that during his six-year tenure in Nigeria and ECOWAS, he had utilised his military experience to strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic-military engagements in the subregion.

According to him, his concurrent accreditation as ambassador to ECOWAS enabled him to engage with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, particularly during their threat to withdraw from the regional bloc.

“The development of relations between the two countries is very dynamic. In various fields, relations between governments are getting better.

“As you know, I have a military background. But, you know, a military background does not mean I’m not able to do a diplomatic job because diplomatic action is a kind of war without a weapon.

“We come here to share experience because we know Nigeria has a lot of experience in solving the problem of terrorism through counter-terrorism. And also, Indonesia, we have plenty of experience in that,” he said.

The envoy revealed that, in line with the military cooperation between Indonesia and Nigeria, he had facilitated the training of young Nigerian military officers at Indonesia’s defence university on scholarships.

“Some of them have already graduated. Some of them are still undergoing the same,” he said.

The outgoing ambassador disclosed that one of his greatest achievements and legacies was his strategic diplomatic engagements in Nigeria and the entire ECOWAS subregion to curb the surge of terrorism.

“We tried to stop the escalation of terrorism through diplomatic efforts. Diplomacy is very effective in making the situation not escalate,” he said.

Harahap, the longest-serving Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, said he was leaving behind a legacy of substantial growth and continuity in Indonesia-Nigeria diplomatic relations for his successors to build upon.

“Indonesia is a big country, Nigeria is a big country. It’s our duty to drive growth between both countries to solve challenges.

“We need to have a strong commitment to build our relationship with Nigeria and other accredited countries; a strong commitment to complement each other,” he said.

The envoy added that he would miss certain Nigerian dishes, which he had come to love during his stay in the country, particularly suya — roasted beef garnished with local spices.

NAN reports that Nigeria is Indonesia’s second-largest trade partner in Africa after South Africa, with current trade volume between the two nations reaching about four billion dollars. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

DHQ moves to harmonise court martial procedures
Defence/Security

DHQ moves to harmonise court martial procedures

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is to harmonise court martial procedures across the services in line with the nation’s justice system.

The Chief Defence Staff (CDS). Gen. Christopher Musa, said this on Monday, at the opening of a conference on Rules of Procedure, substance abuse and sexual orientation in the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Abuja.

Musa, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration Rear Adm. Monday Unurhere, said that Nigeria’s contemporary operating environment was confronted with multiple administrative challenges with telling consequences for military effectiveness.

According to him, given that discipline is the bedrock of the military, the DHQ responses to these challenges especially in relation to how we regulate the conduct of personnel requires added impetus.

“Accordingly, the DHQ jumped at this opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to harmonizing the Rules of Procedure for court martial, addressing issues of substance abuse and homosexuality within the Services.

“Notably, differences in extant Rules of Procedure for administration of justice in the Armed Forces across the Services create inconsistencies in the administration of military justice.

“These inconsistencies are further deepened by fragmentation and obsolescence of aspects of the Rules.

“Consequently, it has become expedient to review the extant Rule of Procedure with a view to eliminating conflicts by harmonising the application of justice and enforcement of discipline in the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said.

Musa said the military was not spared from growing global debates on substance abuse and homosexuality, adding that the twin issues had massive negative effects on morale and operational effectiveness.

He expressed confidence that the conference would foster engaging dialogues, vibrant exchange of ideas towards generating bespoke and enduring solutions that would strengthen justice and discipline within the military.

The Director of Legal Services (Army), Lt.-Col. SO Okebukola in his presentation, said the Nigerian army relied on imported Royal British Army rules to court martial personnel.

Okebukola, represented by the Chief of Staff, Legal Services, Lt.-Col. Chukwudi Okonkwo, said that some obsolete materials imported were not applicable to the Nigerian criminal justice system.

He recommended that all references to obsolete foreign materials not suitable to the Nigerian criminal justice system should be expunged and replaced with pertinent policies relevant to the Nigerian military criminal justice system.

“Plea bargaining procedure should be incorporated into the Rules of Procedure,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Nigeria, India vow spike in economic, defence, other ties
Metro

Nigeria, India vow spike in economic, defence, other ties

580 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both countries also pledged to strengthen ties in key areas including economic development, defence, healthcare and food security, among others.

This is contained in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja at the conclusion of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria at the invitation of President Bola Tinubu.

NAN reports that the Indian prime minister received a formal welcome, including a 21-artillery gun salute at the Presidential Villa.

Tinubu and Modi went into a tete-a-tete, and later jointly presided over an expanded bilateral and political talks.

During their bilateral discussion, the two leaders agreed to a greater collaboration in counterterrorism, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.

With growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea and the Indian Ocean, they also agreed to coordinated actions to safeguard maritime trade routes and combat piracy.

The two countries pledged to continue regular naval exercises and joint anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard critical maritime routes.

‘” The leaders reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing networks and safe havens.

‘” They called for zero tolerance to terrorism and expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism in the UN Framework.

“They also called for the implementation of the UNGA and the UNSC resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism.

”It was agreed to enhance cooperation in the area of counter terrorism,” the joint statement said.

Modi reiterated India’s readiness to support Nigeria’s defence modernisation efforts, highlighting India’s emergence as a trusted defence manufacturer.

Similarly, the two leaders also highlighted the vibrant economic relationship between India and Nigeria, with India positioned as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a significant contributor to its economy.

Nigeria commended the contributions of over 200 Indian companies operating in the country, which have generated substantial employment and investment opportunities.

On bilateral trade expansion, both leaders directed their officials to finalise pending agreements.

” These include the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), to boost trade and investment.

” The fruitification of some of the investments” agreed to by the Indian companies during the visit of President Tinubu to India in September 2023, and committed to facilitating early finalization of the remaining investments.

On the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit held from September 9th-10th, 2023, in New Delhi, the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Business Conference had taken place.

During the conference, Indian investors pledged a combined total of over $14 billion across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The investments were targeted on industrialisation, energy, telecommunications, and defence sectors

On infrastructure Development, the joint statement added that India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development priorities through concessional Lines of credit and technical expertise.

On energy, Nigeria and India agreed on long-term contracts for crude oil and LNG supply and technical support in pipeline transmission security, CNG conversion and LPG bottling distribution.

The two leaders also discussed broader collaboration on food security and agriculture, health, education, and cultural exchanges.

Also, on food security, the leaders agreed that it remains a priority for developing countries especially with bigger populations.

”Nigeria thanked India for providing the necessary concessions sought for in the supply of rice at the time of their need.

”They agreed to enhance collaboration in the area of agriculture from agricultural machinery, high yield seeds to sharing technical expertise, know-how and technologies and agreed to identify ways of cooperation in these areas.

”The Indian side thanked the Nigerian side for supporting the Indian Resolution at the UN to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

” And agreed to increase collaboration between India and Nigeria in the area of Millets, ” the joint statement said.

On healthcare sector, Nigeria and India pledged to deepen their collaboration focusing on the establishment of hospitals and diagnostic centers, as well as the deployment of innovative health management systems.

Both sides acknowledged the ongoing efforts by Indian hospitals operating in Nigeria and highlighted the vast potential for further collaboration to enhance healthcare delivery across the country.

The Indian Government offered to share its CoWIN digital platform, an open-source health management infrastructure that has revolutionised vaccination campaigns and health data management in India.

It said, ” This system is expected to support Nigeria’s healthcare system by improving the efficiency and accessibility of vaccination programs and other health initiatives. ”

The Indian government also extended its commitment to supply high-quality generic pharmaceutical products to Nigeria at economical rates under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme.

The scheme is a campaign launched by India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.

The statement said,” The initiative is aimed at making essential medicines more affordable, particularly for vulnerable populations, and supporting Nigerian public hospital procurement processes.”

Nigeria and India reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on education, cultural exchanges, and fostering strong people-to-people contacts, building on longstanding historical ties and mutual aspirations.

India was acknowledged as a significant partner in Nigeria’s human resource development through various scholarship programs, including the eVBAB scheme, which facilitates virtual learning opportunities.

Both sides agreed to work together to encourage more Nigerian students to leverage these scholarship programmes.

Tinubu and Modi applauded the vibrant cultural and academic exchanges between the two nations, which have included visits by cultural troupes, participation in film and literary festivals, and other collaborative activities.

They underscored the importance of further widening these exchanges to promote mutual understanding and shared heritage.

The leaders recognised the role of tourism in enhancing people-to-people connections and emphasised the need to explore opportunities for promoting travel and cultural interaction between Nigeria and India.

On working together through its membership in international organisations, India commended Nigeria for its reciprocal support of non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2028-2029.

The two countries reiterated their joint commitment to UN Security Council reform and mutual support for permanent and non-permanent memberships.

They also pledged cooperation on regional peace and security, particularly in West Africa.

Nigeria ‘took note’ of India’s invitation to join the Global Biofuel Alliance and Global Rivers Cities Alliance.

It said, ”As members of International Solar Alliance (ISA), both sides agreed to intensify their cooperation in establishing solar parks and to work towards increasing the share of the renewable energy in their energy portfolio.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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