…as Defence Minister inaugurate committee to host 16th Nig – South Africa Defence Forum
Nigeria and Islamic Republic of Iran have moved to increase diplomatic ties on military cooperation for the mutual benefit of the Armed Forces of both countries.
This consideration came to the fore when the Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Alibak paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), on Wednesday in Abuja.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Abdulkadri ,said, the Minister stated that promoting Military Diplomatic Ties between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Iranian Armed Forces would bring mutual benefits to both countries.
Gen Magashi told the visiting envoy that it is in time like this when Nigerian Military is decimating multiple threats to national territorial integrity that the genuine allies of the country will be known through their various supports.
The Minister in appreciation of the proposals for improved military diplomatic ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran alluded to a common saying that a “friend in need is a friend indeed”
He urged the Iranian Ambassador to come up with implementable templates for considerations with a view to driving a new vision that will emplace robust engagements between the Armed Forces of the two countries.
In his response, the Iranian Ambassador, Mohammed Albak thanked the Minister for providing strategic direction that will fine tune strategy and synergy inline of new partnership with Nigeria.
The Ambassador,who was accompanied by the Political Adviser Mostafa Majdara promised to key into the new plans that will attract a win – win outcomes including visitation to Iran by the Nigerian delegation for on – the – spot assessments of the fighting equipment that the country is offering Nigeria on Government- to – Government business basis.
Meanwhile the Minister of Defence Maj Gen Magashi (rtd) has inaugurated Committee to plan the hosting of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria- South Africa Defence Forum (DEFCOM) coming up from 19th to 21st October this year.
The term of reference for members of the committee drawn from the Tri- Services and Military Institutions is to draw up actionable programmes for the successful hosting of the event.
The Nigeria- South Africa Defence Forum which dates back to 2015 is in furtherance of the signed 2013 Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.
It has the sole aim of promoting Civil – Military Relations and formulating Procedures for Military Cooperation between their respective Armed Forces.