By Olayemi Esan
The Nigerian Army will further explore the bilateral partnership between it and the California National Guard on Cyber Defence Capability, Army Aviation, logistic support with expertise, the improvised explosives Devices IEDs defeat training, night fighting equipping to combat the insecurity in the Country.
Adjuant General of the California National Guard to Nigeria, Major General David Baldwin disclosed this when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Faruk Yahaya at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Baldwin said, the purpose of the courtesy visit is to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian Army and the California National Guard for mutual benefits within the partnership arrangement with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Ministry of Interior, and its agencies.
"The California National Guard and Nigerian army will work together to continue to make sure that we provide support with Nigerian army priority needs and staff recommendations, and also what could be beneficial for California soldiers in trainings and requirements."
He said the California National Guard will develop an Army Aviation programme and go through the process of selecting Nigerian Army Warfare Aircraft and inducting the aircraft successfully to provide security for the Country.
He said the California National Guard will develop an Army Aviation programme and go through the process of selecting Nigerian Army Warfare Aircraft and inducting the aircraft successfully to provide security for the Country.
"We have a very large army aviation component in California. We have California aviation brigade, aviation battalions with almost 100 Aircraft in the California Engineering Department, over half of which are in our Army", he noted.
He added that the Californian National Guard will continue to partner with the Nigerian Army on Military Intelligence to improve personnel on tracking processes in fighting insurgency, having enjoyed historical relationship with Intelligence soldiers from California at Nigerian Army Intelligence School in Lagos.
"Its always of benefit for us to send instructors to Nigeria to train Nigerian Army personnel on decision making process particularly at the battalion Brigade level, to help Army personnel improve on decision making.
He opined that, in the future, Nigerian Army would be invited to train alongside with Californian, Mexican, or Indian Army Brigades in other to develop strong partnership even at the lowest level.
Responding, Army Chief, Lt General Faruk Yahaya said, he is looking forward to expand the 13 years relationship between Nigerian Army and California National Guard for the mutual benefits.
General Yahaya said he believe the United California has a lots to offer the Nigerian Army in terms of supports in the areas of concern.
He said, the army is looking forward to get support in some of the areas mentioned by Major General David Baldwin like, Army Aviation, and the improvised explosives Devices IEDs threats which affected some of Nigerian troops operations on battle field.
