By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the Nigerian Armed Forces is committed to deepen defence collaboration with Tanzania towards addressing security challenges facing both countries.
Irabor stated this during the visit of participants of the ninth intake 2020/2021 of the Tanzanian National Defence College (TNDC) to the Defence Headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja, according to a statement by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.
The CDS who was represented by the Director of Policy, DHQ, Maj.-Gen. Mainasara Masanawa, said there was need for Nigeria and Tanzania armed forces to strengthen the existing defence collaboration.
He said both militaries needed to cooperate in the area of knowledge sharing and modalities to address diverse security challenges and promote peace and security in Africa.
He said that participants of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Nigeria had always paid visit to Tanzania as part of their regional tour.
Earlier, leader of the TNDC delegation, Brig.-Gen. Marianus Mhagama, expressed appreciation to leadership of the Nigerian military for facilitating their trip to the country even in the critical period of global pandemic
He also thanked the Nigerian military for the cordial and warm reception accorded him and his team.
Mhagama, also the Senior Directing Staff of the TNDC, disclosed that Tanzania had over the years maintained harmonious relationship with Nigeria.
He commended the Nigerian military for participating in several peace support operations and the stabilisation of democracy in some African nations.
The TNDC leader said Nigeria, Ghana and the Republic of Congo were chosen for the tour because of their geographical locations as strategic neighbours.
He said the five-day study tour had exposed them to the history, politics, defence capabilities, foreign diplomacies as well as economic and social cultural behaviour of the people.
He disclosed that two officers from the Nigerian military were among the foreign participants and advocated for more slots for personnel of Tanzania military in the National Defence College Nigeria. (NAN)
Source: NAN News