The Minister of Defence Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) today pledged to strengthen Defence cooperation with the Armed Forces of Countries participating in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) towards invigorating the fight against insecurity in the region.
The Defence Minister made the disclosure when he hosted an 8-man delegation of the Senegalese Armed Forces led by its Inspector General, Maj. Gen. Daouda Niang who visited him at the Ship House, Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, Abuja.
Maj Gen Magashi harped on the need to step up bilateral and multilateral Military cooperations through Joint Trainings and retraining of personnel.
He explained that such well-packaged robust Military training would build the capacities of the prospective benefiaries to change the tide against the adversaries fueling cross boarder criminal activities.
He outlined various opportunities that abound in the Armed Forces Military training Institutions in Nigeria, which he assured were available for Senegalese candidates to buy into for enhanced combat efficiency.
While sharing his experience as ECOMOG Commander of 15 Brigade with the Inspector General of the Senegalese Armed Forces who coincidentally participated in the regional operational combat in Liberia, the Minister indicated the readiness of the Nigerian armed forces in giving support towards raising the standard of the Senegalese Armed Forces Staff College when called upon to render such service.
In his remark, the leader of the delegation of Maj Gen Niang appreciated what he described as the big brother role Nigeria is playing in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
General Niang therefore sought for enhanced existing Military cooperation with Nigeria in the efforts of the Senegalese Armed Forces to fully professionalise.
He thanked the Minister of Defence for the audience and assured him of continuous cooperation of the armed forces of Senegal with the Nigerian Counterpart in the areas deemed necessary bilaterally.