Nigeria, UK to deepen military relations

The Federal Government has once again emphasized the need for a deeper bilateral relationship between her and the British Government.
The Minister of State for Defence, Erelu 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 for the reduction of crude oil theft.
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.
Speaking further, Obada said Nigeria will greatly appreciate Britain’s assistance for a Public Private Partnership collaboration to produce what the Nigerian defence sector needs to sustain and maintain her military.
She outlined some of the areas of cooperation to include maintainance of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea; cooperation in relation to the threats emerging from terrorism and insurgency; sharing knowledge and training in fields of international peace keeping efforts; exchange of experience in relation to operational maintenance and logistics support of equipment acquired from either participants; and promotion and development of cooperation in the field of Defence Scientific Technologies and Research.
Earlier, Murrison said Nigeria and the United Kingdom have maintained a close and happy friendly relationship.
He said that Britain is keen on assisting Nigeria now and in the future, especially in the area of ensuring peace as a result of the country’s present security challenge.
He said this was more so since Nigeria is strategically occupying a regional leadership position.
Murrison said that in the uncertain world of today, the United Kingdom is willing to assist Nigeria in anyway to go forward.
He also requested that there should be regard 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, said Nigeria requires assistance in matters of illegal oil bunkering and the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria.
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, Aliyu Isma’ila, and other Directors of the Ministry were present during the visit.