The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru has called for a partnership between the Ministry of Defence and the University of Abuja through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to boost local production of defence equipment.
The Minister stated this when the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Defence Abuja as contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Henshaw Ogubike.
The Minister noted that the University being a centre for research, can partner favourably with DICON in the production of Military weapons; drones, guns and other hardware needed in the country.
The Minister stressed that UNI-Abuja is a research-driven University that offers various Engineering Courses and that it will be beneficial if it partners with DICON in the local production of defence equipment, pointing out that for any useful development, there must be research.
Badaru appreciated the V.C. for the visit and said that the Ministry will do everything necessary to see that the collaborative efforts of both institutions will boost Nigeria’s desire to produce defence equipment locally.
He explained to his guest that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) is a Military industry that is charged with the production of all military equipment and hardware in Nigeria.
Earlier, in his response the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah said that the purpose of their visit was to interact with the Minister on possible levels of collaboration in terms of ideas sharing and research.
He said that the University is well positioned in terms of research capabilities to support good ideas that will enhance the security of the nation.
Dominica Nwabufo
