By AbdulGaniyu Aminu
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has stressed the need for a self-reliant Military that would depend on locally manufactured equipment and be able to effectively confront the nation’s security challenges.
Dr. Onu said the need for the Armed Forces to be self-reliant is informed by the fact that no other nation would be willing to come to our aid in time of need, stressing that Nigeria had experienced hostile response from other countries in the past when it needed their assistance.
Dr. Onu said this when the Director of Transformation and Innovation of the Nigeria Army Headquarters paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja during the week.
The Minister further said that the attainment of self-reliance by the military will boost the nation’s economy as well as create jobs for its teeming youths.
Dr. Onu expressed delight with the Mine Resistant Ambush Proof (MRAP) armored vehicle codenamed “Ezeogu Emura” developed by the Nigerian Army in its battle against insurgency.
He said that the Armored vehicle could be improved upon and exported to earn revenue for the country, hoping that Nigerians will soon be able to sell equipment produced in Nigeria to other countries.
He assured the Nigerian Army of the Ministry’s support in enhancing its research and innovation endeavours.
The Minister assured that the ministry is working hard to move the economy away from being dependent on commodity or resource to a knowledge – based one.
Earlier, the Director of Transformation and Innovation in the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen Elvis Njoku, had said the Army will collaborate and seek further assistance of the Ministry, for Research and Development on new innovations to help boost it’s capabilities.
He added that the Army, will continue to think out of the box to help boost the morale of its personnel and keep up with the latest global practices on military operations.