The Federal Government of Nigeria has once again emphasized the need for a deeper bilateral relationship between her and the British Government.
The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu (Dr) Olusola Obada confirmed this while playing host to the British Minister of International Security and Strategy, Dr. Andrew Murrison who paid a courtesy visit on her in Abuja.
The Minister, during the visit stressed the need for a closer collaborative cooperation between both countries, especially to ensure the economic life line of Nigeria's crude oil theft reduction when friendly nations such as Britain will criminalize it. She also requested for the full implementation of the memorandum of understanding after ratification by the Federal Executive Council, the MoU aims to build an enduring Defence relationship that will contribute to the security of each party and enhance peace and security across the West African region based on equality and mutual respect.
While speaking further, the Minister said Nigeria will greatly appreciate Britain's assistance for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaboration to produce what the Nigerian Defence Sector needs to sustain and maintain her military. She outlined some of the areas of cooperation as follows:
a. To maintain maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea,
b. Cooperation in relation to the threats emerging from terrorism and insurgency,
c. Sharing knowledge and training in fields of international peace keeping efforts,
d. Exchange of experience in relation to operational maintenance and logistics support of equipment acquired from either participants, and
e. Promotion and development of cooperation in the field of Defence Scientific Technologies and Research.
Earlier, the visiting British Minister for International Security and Strategy, Dr. Andrew Murrison said Nigeria and the United Kingdom of Great Britain have maintained a close and happy friendly relationship together and that Britain is keen to assist Nigeria now and in the future especially in the area of ensuring peace in the present security challenge, more so, since Nigeria is strategically demonstrating a regional leadership position.
Dr. Murrison said that in our uncertain world of today, the United Kingdom of Great Britain is willing to assist Nigeria in any way to go forward. He also requested that there should be regards for human rights as enshrined in the International Human Rights Laws. The British Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock and Army Commando Attache to Nigeria were among the delegation.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim Sa'ad on his part said Nigeria requires assistance in matters of illegal oil bunkering and the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba stressed the collaborative effort for capacity building and the need to look at critical areas of economic demand to ensure increase security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Aliyu Isma'ila and other Directors of the Ministry were present during the visit.
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