By Blessing David
The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has reiterated government’s recognition of the important role that technology plays in combating asymmetric threats.
General Magashi stated this as special guest at the opening ceremony of the Defence retreat in Asaba Delta State with the theme; “Shaping the Armed Forces of Nigeria for current and future security challenges”
He identified the huge inroads by the Nigerian Army in cyber and forensic areas, the deployment of the Falcon Eye infrastructure by the Nigerian Navy and the acquisition of unmanned aerial systems by the Nigerian Air Force as some of the proves of government’s investments in upgrading the capabilities of the Nigerian Military.
The Defence Minister added that some of the Technological breakthroughs are enhancing situational awareness for troops and better operational security in the country.
While appreciating the Chief of Defence Staff General Leo Irabor for the initiative in putting the Defence retreat together tagged Asaba 2022 charged the participants to take maximum advantage of the platform to identify possible areas that require tinkering to meat the present day security challenges.
The Special guest who also unveiled the new National Military Strategy alongside other dignitaries including the Governor of Delta state Senator Arthur Okowa, challenged the retreatants to carefully examine statutory documents and policies that guide the establishment and development of the Armed Forces to ensure that they meet current realities.
In their separate remarks Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Chief of Defence Staff who thanked the Special guest for his presence at the retreat justified the retreat for its appropriate timing and described it as a right step in the right direction especially now that the philosophy of Jointness and interoperability have become operationalised in dealing with current security challenges.
