Security Challenges: Our Military doing a good Job, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said the Nigerian
Military has the capability and wherewithal to overcome the current
security challenges across the country, asserting that they have in
recent times been very busy doing a good job of confronting the
security challenges.

He also said the Present administration of President Muhammadu
Buhari decided to reposition the armed forces to cope with the
challenges of security threats by modernising, re-equipping and
retraining military personnel.

The Vice President made the remarks at the Eagle Square, Abuja,
on the occasion of the Nigerian Air Force Research and Development
Competition and Exhibition which was part of activities outlined to
commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force,
NAF.

Vice President Osinbajo lauded the NAF for partnering with other
reputable institutions across the country to make huge investments
in Research and Development, noting that with time the Air Force
would establish its footprints on global stage.

The Vice President who was represented by the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said: “The Nigerian
Armed forces have in recent times been very busy doing a good job
of confronting our Nation’s current multifaceted internal security
challenges. In a bid to reposition the Armed Forces to better cope
with those challenges, our administration has made the
modernization, re-equipping and continuous training of the Nigerian
Armed Forces a top priority.

“There is no doubt that the resources required to realize the
full potentials of the Armed Forces are limited in view of the
competing demands from other sectors. Nevertheless, the Federal
Government of Nigeria will continue to do its best to sustain the
current tempo of development.

“It has become more important than ever before that we really
look inwards and gradually wean ourselves of overdependence on
foreign technology and become more innovative in the use of local
resources.

“It is in view of the foregoing that I want to specially commend
the Nigerian Air Force for the efforts being made at harnessing the
available research and development potentials, especially in the
military aviation sector”.

The Vice President therefore called on all stakeholders to
embark on fruitful collaborations and joint partnerships to fund
more research and development activities in the country.

In his address, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique
Abubakar said the NAF priortised Research and Development
activities with home grown technology as the basis to actualise his
vision for effective and truly professional Air Force.

He said: “Globally, it is acknowledged that Research and
Development has proven to be the catalyst for technological and
industrial advancement. There is also a consensus among scholars
that national development can best be enhanced through indigenous
research and development efforts.

“Recognising these facts and realising that the effectiveness
and sustainability of the Nigerian Air Force, in the long term,
would be largely influenced by the growth of home-based technology,
the Service has placed emphasis on Research and Development as a
means of building indigenous technological capacity.

“It is gratifying to note that our strategy fits into the focus
of the Federal Government which places emphasis in promoting local
content, home-grown technology and innovation as principal means of
improving the Nation’s foreign exchange earnings”.

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!