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President Muhammadu Buhari, has
inaugurated the first set of combat and light vehicles manufactured at the
Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot in partnership with Defence Industries
Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in Kaduna.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vehicles were
unveiled at the opening of the 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference on
Tuesday in Kaduna.
The theme of the conference is, “Application of the Cutting Edge
of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary Security Challenges”.
The vehicles, which include five Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
(MRAP) nicknamed, ‘Ezugwu MRAP’ and a number of infantry patrol vehicles were
manufactured by Nigerian army engineers and their indigenous partners.
While commending the innovative prowess of the army, Buhari said
that it was encouraging to note that the army as a critical element of national
power was in involved in innovative and inventive ventures.
He said that working for a sustainable and secured environment
was a major priority for his administration.
The President commended the collaborative effort of the Command
Engineering Depot with relevant indigenous organisations to promote local
content towards the development of the military industrial complex.
“I am glad with the production of Ezugwu MRAP which I will
unveil shortly with other infantry patrol vehicles that were earlier produced
as testimony that our efforts are yielding positive results.
“There is no doubt that a lot has been achieved by the army
since my assumption of office as the president and commander in chief of the
Armed Forces,” he said.
Buhari said that his administration had continued to provide
resources to enable the army carry out projects with the sole aim of
modernising it and be better positioned to perform its constitutional roles.
The Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd), said
the government was aware of the needs of the army to be able to perform its
constitutional roles effectively.
Magashi said that the conference was to appraise and evaluate
the operational activities of the army during the years to enable them identify
areas of improvement.
He assured that the government would continue to prioritise the welfare
of the military personnel who have sacrificed their lives to defend the
country.
Magashi commended the president for his commitment to enhancing
the capacity of the armed forces.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said
that the vehicles were innovative and inventive products of Nigerian army’s
research and development of its military industrial complex.
Buratai disclosed that the Ezugwu MRAP was an entirely
indigenous production effort from start to finish by the team of Nigerian army
engineers and their partners.
He said that the Ezugwu MRAP was versatile in the counter
insurgency and other military operations in the country, adding that MRAP would
pose great threat to adversaries.
According to him, the vehicles have been tested in the various
theatre of operations against Boko Haram insurgents as well as Birnin Gwari
area against bandits.
“We are delighted to showcase to Mr President our innovative and
inventive products so far achieved through robust research and development
efforts drives through building our own military industrial complex.
“We are indeed honoured and delighted to have you in our midst
to unveil the Ezugwu MRAP which is an entirely indigenous production effort
from start to finish.
“We are also delighted for the commissioning of the upgraded 44
Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.
“The hospital has been upgraded to the UN Ultramodern Level 4
hospital in Nigeria that will cater for the medical needs of our troops and
other citizens alike.
“These two projects will no doubt save significant foreign
exchange of the country which could be used for other developmental purposes,”
he said.
NAN reports that President Buhari had inaugurated the newly
upgraded 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, which was expanded and
equipped with modern facilities. Best-Casino Canada Top
