By Johnson Eyiangho
Abuja – The Nigerian Army says the Research and Innovation summit will henceforth become an annual event in the calendar of activities of the Nigerian Army.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai made the declaration on Wednesday at the closing of a three-day maiden edition of the army research and innovation summit in Abuja.
According to him, the overall objective of the summit is to establish a viable framework for a successful research and renovation programme in the Nigerian army.
The maiden edition was sponsored by the army in collaboration with the private sector.
Buratai noted that the event had left both sectors with a clear understanding of their different roles in strengthening synergy required to attain quest for self reliance in defence production and national development.
On exhibition on the sideline of the summit, he said the various designs and innovations had given an over view of the potential that abound in the Nigerian army and nation at large.
“They will help to enrich entrenched policies and programmes that will harness these potential for military application.
“The summit has therefore set the tone for the Nigerian army to leverage this initiative toward self sufficiency in its continuous efforts in building a professionally responsive army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“I also want to assure you that the Nigerian army will pay adequate attention to the recommendations of this summit.
“This is with a view to leveraging the strength of the private and public sectors, as well as the academia to enhance military research and innovation to the benefit of our great nation,’’ Buratai said.
A communiqué issued at the end of the summit stressed the need for effective research and innovation to enhance capacity of the military.
The communiqué, which was read by Maj.-Gen. C. O. Ude, from the Army Headquarters, decried the lack of synergy between the military, national research institutes, private sector and tertiary institutions in the country.
It also decried the lack of legislative backing for national policy on research, science and technology innovation, saying that it was impeding progress of research efforts.
The communiqué therefore, called for the passage of the bill on “National Policy on Research, Development and Innovation’’ pending before the National Assembly.
According to the communiqué, inappropriate funding mechanism and incentives have continued to limit effective research and innovation in the Nigeria army, armed forces and the nation at large.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the items exhibited during the three-day event were locally fabricated army gun trucks, patrol vehicles, as well as patrol motorcycles known as “Jackal’’ fitted with various types of arms.
