Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has called for regional collaboration to enhance military capabilities and address security threats confronting African nations.
General Musa stated this in his opening remarks at the 60th anniversary of Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) and maiden African Defence Industries conference (ADIC) with the theme “DICON @60: Future frontiers in Africa’s Defence Technology” in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that while the dynamics of warfare were rapidly changing, the military needed to remain at the forefront of technological advancement.
He said, “As African nations continue to confront threats to peace and stability, it is essential that we work together to enhance our defence capabilities and foster regional cooperation.”
He continued, “As we reflect on the security challenges grappling our respective nations today, there is a growing imperative to fully develop our indigenous production capacities and strengthen our military industrial complex.”
He added that the conference sets the stage for sharing ideas, promoting innovations, and creating networking opportunities for DICON and other Defence Related Industries in Nigeria.
” It is also a call to innovate, embrace new technologies, and develop solutions to ensure the security and prosperity of our nation and continent in the coming years,” he said.
The CDS said Nigeria, with its rich resources and diverse talent pool, has the potential to lead the development of cutting-edge defence technologies. He, however, said achieving this requires concerted efforts and collaboration with other defence industries, research institutions, and the private sector.
“We must, therefore, forge strong partnerships, both within Africa and with our global allies, to ensure that we are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Most importantly, we must also invest in our people, harnessing the intellectual capital and creativity that abound,” he added.
In his welcome remarks, the director general of DICON, Major General AE Edet, said that though DICON was established in August 1964 to support and enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces, its founding mission was to ensure Nigeria’s self-reliance in the provision of essential military hardware and armaments.
He said the initiative was not just a strategic move for defence purposes but a bold step towards fostering technological advancement and industrial development within Nigeria.
He explained that DICON, in the past decade, has evolved significantly, adapting to the dynamic landscapes of military technology and global defence trends.
He said that DICON, in the early years, was predominantly focused on producing small arms and ammunition, meeting the critical needs of the Nigerian military and other security agencies.
He said that as the threats facing the nation and region became more complex and contemporary, so too has the interpretation of DICON’s mandate.
“In the 21st century, our projects have become more diverse, encompassing not only military products but also ventures into civilian applications that leverage our technological capabilities,” he said.
General Edet said the challenges before the nation demanded cooperation, creativity, courage and collective endeavours in aerospace and defence.
“At DICON, we are proud of our past but relentlessly focused on our future. We are building a future where we continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing the defence capabilities not just of Nigeria but of Africa and beyond. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and collaboration to ensure our collective security and prosperity,” he said.
He said the 60th anniversary was a call to action “to believe in ourselves, to build that future that we have always wanted for our country and DICON, to plant that tree that will flourish in the coming years.”
