The Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Mr. Juan Ignacio Sanz and his counterpart from the Republic of South Korea, Kim Young-Chae paid courtesy call to the Chief of Army Staff and promised that Spain and South Korean will support Nigerian Army in a bid to fulfil its constitutional mandates.
Mr. Juan Ignacio Sanz said, Spain as a member of the European Union, which is now presently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, is ready to support the Nigerian army.
Mr Ignacio Sanz who highlighted how important the contribution of the Nigerian army and other armed forces in the country for the development and to the future of the country commended the Nigerian Army and men in uniform to keep the country safe despite the security challenges.
He said some relevant Spanish investments in Nigeria have benefited from the protection and the help of the Nigerian army, noting that the COAS was clear to him that for Nigerians to enjoy the benefits of Democracy, there must be Security. "And I've seen how determined the Nigerian armed forces are to make the best so that this can happen.
"We know as EU that we pay, we bring up contribution to the Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region, but also bilaterally we ready to engage as we do with with the Nigerian armed forces. But we are ready to scale up our contributions on our readiness to collaborate with you. That's the main purpose of my visit to the COAS.
The Chief of Army Staff responded by thanking Spain for its contribution and for facilitating peace and economic development in Nigeria. He also acknowledged the offer by the Ambassador to bring closer cooperation with the Spanish Armed Forces and to look into other areas of benefits especially with technological advancement, for Nigerian militaries to also benefit from collaborations from the military establishments in Spain.”
He thanked Spain for its contribution to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the North East in the auspices of the European Union EU and the Armed Forces of Nigeria through the exchange of military visits and other exchange of interactions.
"We are looking forward to having a positive interaction with the defence establishments in the areas of technological innovations and advancement.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja assured Spanish and South Korean Ambassadors of Nigerian Army’s (NA) robust engagements and sustainable partnership in promoting effective defence relations.
In the same vein, the COAS, while receiving in audience, the Republic of South Korea Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young-Chae eulogized Korea for the existing cordial relations between the Nigerian Army and Korean defence forces, particularly in the area of transport logistics.
Gen Lagbaja remarked that the Republic of South Korea has impacted positively on NA operations against terrorists and insurgents.He expressed optimism that partnership in the defence and security sector will be sustained.
The South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, commended the commitment of the Armed forces and the Federal Government for keeping Nigerians united, despite the cultural diversity. He noted that Korea has made significant progress in defence and security, as well as other military capabilities.
The Ambassador noted, that South Korea reveres Nigeria, as the biggest democracy in Africa. He expressed Korea's resolve to increase her defence cooperation with the Nigeria Army.
