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Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda has reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to enhancing military cooperation with the State of Israel during a recent courtesy visit from Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ship House, Abuja.

During their meeting, the two officials discussed strategies for bolstering defence cooperation, strengthening mutual security frameworks, and exploring opportunities for enhanced military training and capacity building within the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Ambassador Aduda highlighted the critical need to deepen defence ties in the light of evolving global security challenges. He emphasized the importance of strategic areas such as joint operations, knowledge exchange, and the modernization of defence cooperation.

The discussions also included plans to finalize a new bilateral defence agreement aimed at fostering technical collaboration in defence industry development.

The Ministry of Defence is in the process of reforming the Defence Industry corporation so as to achieve effective regulation of the sector.

Soon Nigeria will have the regulatory arm of DICON to regulate and license participation in the defence industry, as well as the commercial arm that will enter into partnerships and collaborations to assemble or manufacture arms and ammunition, UAVs and armoured vehicles alongside reputable original Equipment6 manufacturers globally.

According to Ambassador Aduda “The Ministry will engage in strategic initiatives to replicate successful Israeli military cooperation frameworks in Nigeria, thereby enhancing our national defence architecture.”

In response, Ambassador Michael Freeman expressed gratitude for the audience and underscored the significance of this partnership as a progressive step toward achieving innovative defence solutions.

He extended a formal invitation to Ambassador Aduda and his team to visit Israel, with the goal of further strengthening the ties between the two countries.

The Nigerian Honourable Minister of Defence H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has opened 43rd Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja with a call on member States to foster collaboration and solidarity in the face of emerging threats of terrorism, organized crimes, climate change and other forms of criminalities.

In his opening remarks, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for a unified approach to addressing the pressing security challenges facing the West African sub-region as well as highlighted the complexities of the current security landscape, noting that the rise of global populism and revisionist ideologies has heightened the vulnerability of the region. He asserted that economic growth and sustainable peace are intrinsically linked.

He urged member states to foster collaboration and solidarity in the face of emerging threats, including terrorism, organized crime, climate change, cyber-crime, and pandemics.

“The imperative for us in the sub-region is to strengthen our bond and collective resolve is greater now than ever,” Minister Badaru stated.

“We must recognize that we are collectively as strong as our weakest link. It is essential that we close ranks against these threats and refocus our strategy to deny terror and insecurity a breeding ground”, he added.

The Minister underscored the significance of the discussions planned for the meeting, which will focus on critical issues such as the ECOWAS Standby Force, Peace Support Operations, and Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea.

He expressed confidence that the deliberations would be characterized by collaboration, innovation, and a shared determination to craft sustainable strategies that address the security needs of the region.

Badaru also announced the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, a pivotal step in the collective fight against terrorism and insurgency, reinforcing the commitment of member states to ensure the safety and security of their citizens.

In rounding off, the Minister expressed profound gratitude to the Chiefs of Defence Staff for their unwavering dedication and professionalism in safeguarding the well-being of the people of West Africa.

He urged all participants to approach the discussions with purpose and unity, recognizing the potential of their collective efforts to shape a more secure and prosperous future for the sub-region.