Chief of Defence Employees (CDS) Common Christopher Musa has referred to as for regional collaboration to boost navy capabilities and tackle safety threats confronting African nations.
Common Musa said this in his opening remarks on the sixtieth anniversary of Defence Industries Company (DICON) and maiden African Defence Industries convention (ADIC) with the theme “DICON @60: Future frontiers in Africa’s Defence Know-how” in Abuja on Wednesday.
He mentioned that whereas the dynamics of warfare had been quickly altering, the navy wanted to stay on the forefront of technological development.
He mentioned, “As African nations proceed to confront threats to peace and stability, it’s important that we work collectively to boost our defence capabilities and foster regional cooperation.”
He continued, “As we replicate on the safety challenges grappling our respective nations immediately, there’s a rising crucial to completely develop our indigenous manufacturing capacities and strengthen our navy industrial advanced.”
He added that the convention units the stage for sharing concepts, selling improvements, and creating networking alternatives for DICON and different Defence Associated Industries in Nigeria.
” It’s also a name to innovate, embrace new applied sciences, and develop options to make sure the safety and prosperity of our nation and continent within the coming years,” he mentioned.
The CDS mentioned Nigeria, with its wealthy sources and numerous expertise pool, has the potential to steer the event of cutting-edge defence applied sciences. He, nonetheless, mentioned reaching this requires concerted efforts and collaboration with different defence industries, analysis establishments, and the non-public sector.
“We should, due to this fact, forge sturdy partnerships, each inside Africa and with our international allies, to make sure that we’re outfitted to fulfill the challenges of tomorrow. Most significantly, we should additionally spend money on our folks, harnessing the mental capital and creativity that abound,” he added.
In his welcome remarks, the director basic of DICON, Main Common AE Edet, mentioned that although DICON was established in August 1964 to assist and improve the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces, its founding mission was to make sure Nigeria’s self-reliance within the provision of important navy {hardware} and armaments.
He mentioned the initiative was not only a strategic transfer for defence functions however a daring step in the direction of fostering technological development and industrial growth inside Nigeria.
He defined that DICON, previously decade, has advanced considerably, adapting to the dynamic landscapes of navy expertise and international defence tendencies.
He mentioned that DICON, within the early years, was predominantly centered on producing small arms and ammunition, assembly the important wants of the Nigerian navy and different safety companies.
He mentioned that because the threats going through the nation and area turned extra advanced and modern, so too has the interpretation of DICON’s mandate.
“Within the twenty first century, our tasks have grow to be extra numerous, encompassing not solely navy merchandise but additionally ventures into civilian functions that leverage our technological capabilities,” he mentioned.
Common Edet mentioned the challenges earlier than the nation demanded cooperation, creativity, braveness and collective endeavours in aerospace and defence.
“At DICON, we’re pleased with our previous however relentlessly centered on our future. We’re constructing a future the place we proceed to play a pivotal function in enhancing the defence capabilities not simply of Nigeria however of Africa and past. We’re dedicated to pushing the boundaries of expertise and collaboration to make sure our collective safety and prosperity,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the sixtieth anniversary was a name to motion “to imagine in ourselves, to construct that future that we’ve got all the time needed for our nation and DICON, to plant that tree that may flourish within the coming years.”
