Abuja – The Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, says collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa will help in developing Nigeria’s defence sector including its capacity to contain contemporary security threats.
Dan-Ali said this while fielding questions from newsmen after his South African counterpart, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Monday.
He said areas of interest in the renewed Nigeria-South African defence collaboration would include development of a Nigerian defence industrial complex and technical support.
“We are thinking that South Africa being the closest ally in this part of the world should come and help us in developing our industrial complex which is the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.
“Very soon when the two Commanders-in-Chief meet, and the visit is finalised, we will look deep into how the two countries will work together and come to an agreement on the MoU signed on the issues relating to defence,’’ he said.
He added that plans had reached advance stage for South Africa to extend its expertise to assist Nigeria to establish a special force to support its fight against insurgency in the country.
The minister said the technical assistance would include exchange training programme for military personnel as well as capacity building for equipment handling for the elite force.
He said the defence chiefs of both countries had held discussions to work out a plan for the establishment of the force.
Earlier in her remark, the visiting South Africa Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, acknowledged Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping on the continent.
She said the collaboration between the South African defence industry and that of Nigeria would involve exchange of expertise and other defence related issues.
Mapisa-Nqakula said Nigeria and South Africa were committed to working together to address critical issues affecting peace and security on the African continent.
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She confirmed that ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa would result in the development of a complex that would enable Nigeria become self-reliant in the acquisition of military hardware.
“Whether buying or transfer of technology, it depends on the decision of the two Chiefs of Defence and I know that they have met and held a lengthy meeting.
“I think they have also begun to identify the critical areas of research and development; they have also identified areas for acquisition of technology.
“Whether it will be joint ventures, or procuring from one country by the other, I think that is a different matter.
“We are planning to have a conference of the two defence industries so that the two can share expertise on what they do and what they can do for each other,’’ she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mapisa-Nqakula’s visit to the Ministry of Defence is a prelude to the South African President’s official visit to Nigeria beginning from March 8. (NAN)