The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) is strengthening Nigeria’s Defence Cooperation with the Armed Forces of countries participating in the Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF towards invigorating the fight against insecurity in the region.
This came to the fore when the Defence Minister granted audience to the 8-man delegation of the Senegalese Armed Forces led by its Inspector General, Major General Daouda Niang who came on courtesy call at the Ship House Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
Training and re-training of personnel
Magashi harped on the need to step up bilateral and multilateral Military co-operations through joint trainings and retraining of personnel according to a statement from Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri.
The Minister explained that such a well packaged robust Military training will build the capacities of the prospective beneficiaries to change the tide against the adversaries fuelling cross border criminal activities.
He outlined various opportunities that abound in the Armed Forces Military training institutions in Nigeria and assured that they are available for Senegalese candidates to buy into to enhance combat efficiency.
The Minister shared his experience as ECOMOG Commander 15 Brigade with the Inspector General of the Senegalese Armed Forces who also participated in the regional operational combat in Liberia and indicated the readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces in giving support towards raising the standard of the Senegalese Armed Forces Staff College when called upon to render such service.
The Leader of delegation of the Armed Forces of Senegal, Major General Daouda Niang appreciated what he described as the big brother role Nigeria is playing in the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
Niang therefore sought for enhanced existing Military cooperation with Nigeria in the efforts of the Senegalese Armed Forces to attain professionalism.
He thanked the Minister of Defence for the audience and assured him of continuous cooperation of the Armed Forces of Senegal with the Nigerian Counterpart in the areas deemed necessary bilaterally.
Nneka Ukachukwu
