The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Kana has stated that Nigeria will continue to strengthen its military relations with Zimbabwe.
According to a statement by the Director Press, Victoria Agba-Attah, Dr Kana stated this when he hosted a delegation of the Zimbabwe National Defence University participants who are on a strategic/ familiarisation tour to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria and Zimbabwe have a bilateral understanding of Military relations which was instituted in the early 1980s when Zimbabwe attained Political Independence during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in which Nigeria played a central role in their independence struggle.”
Dr Kana said that there was no signed agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Defence cooperation between both countries. He however pointed out that a draft MoU on Defence cooperation can be initiated between the two countries in areas of training of the Zimbabwean Armed Forces Personnel in Nigeria, exchange of directing staff as well as students from military institutions of both countries, participation of both countries personnel in joint military training, exercises and partaking in seminars, conferences and symposium of Defence interest.
He hinted that the strategic/familiarisation visit by the Zimbabwe National Defence University Participants would open more high-level talks that would culminate into a more reinforced military cooperation as a working tool for future collaboration between the two countries.
Military cooperation
Earlier the Leader of the delegation, Brigadier General Tendai Elliot Stanley commended the Permanent Secretary on the military cooperation between both countries and said that the delegation comprised 28 members: a team leader, 10 directing staff and 17 participants.
He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for granting them an audience, adding that their tour to some countries which included Nigeria was to seek information on the activities of the Defence sector.
While giving a vote of thanks, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Bukaro commended the Ministry of Defence for hosting the delegation. He said that the knowledge they have gained from the interactive section will be strategically put to practice at the Zimbabwe Defence University.
There was a brief presentation by the Deputy Director, Joint Services Department, Mr Blessing Akpotu, to acquaint the delegation of the Nigerian National Defence Policy.
Emmanuel Ukoh
