Nigeria seeks technological transfer to grow national defence system

The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd) has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the national territorial defence against the  Forces fueling insecurity in the country.

The Defence Minister stated this when he received the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nicholas Simard. on a courtesy call at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mohammad Abdulkadri Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on  Media and Publicity, on Wednesday and sent to Solacebase.

While lauding the decades of Military bilateral Cooperations between Nigeria and Canada he said the ties progressively and sustainably culminated into the formation of the Bi-National Commission in April 2012,’’ said the statement.

 Solacebase reports that General Magashi said both countries are now reaping the dividends of symbiotic diplomatic ties on a Win-win basis.

Read Also:Defence Minister receives report to facilitate security sector reforms

The statement listed the areas of common concerns to end violent extremism in the country and the supports of Canada to entrenching a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria as part of the 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.’’

According to the statement, 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 the protection of human rights.

It added that Nigeria established diplomatic relations with  Canada two years after her independence in 1960, precisely in 1962.

It is also on record that both countries enjoy common Membership of  Commonwealth, Global Counter-terrorism Forum and World Trade Organisation.