Nigeria to strengthen bilateral relations with Zimbabwe

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has said that Nigeria will continue to strengthen military bilateral relations with the Zimbabwe Federation.

A statement issued yesterday by Victoria Agba-Attah Director (Press) at the ministry, said Dr. Kana stated this when he hosted a delegation of Zimbabwe National Defence University participants who are on a strategic/ familiarisation tour to Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Zimbabwe Federation have a bilateral understanding on Military relations which was instituted in the early 1980s when the Zimbabwean Federation attained Political Independence during the administration of the Nigerian second Republic of President Shehu Shagari in which Nigeria played a central role in their Independence struggle.

Dr kana said that there was no signed agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Defence cooperation between both countries. He however pointed out that a draft MoU on Defence cooperation can be initiated between the two countries in areas of training of Zimbabwean Armed Forces Personnel in Nigeria, exchange of directing exchange of directing staff as well as students from military institutions of both countries, participation of both countries personnel in joint military training, exercises and partaking in seminars, conferences and symposium of Defence interest.

He hinted that the strategic/ familiarisation visit by the Zimbabwe National Defence University Participants would open more high-level talks that would culminate into a more reinforced military cooperation as a working tool for future collaboration between the two countries.

Earlier in his remarks, the Leader of the delegation, Brig. Gen. Tendai Elliot Stanley commended the Permanent Secretary on the military cooperation between both countries.

Tendai said that the delegation comprised of 28 members: a team leader, 10 directing staff and 17 participants.

He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for granting them an audience, adding that their tour to some countries which included Nigeria was to seek information on the activities of the Defence sector.

In his vote of thanks, lieutenant Colonel Isaac Bukaro commended the Ministry of Defence for hosting the delegation.

He said that the knowledge they have gained from the interactive section would be strategically put to practice in the Zimbabwe Defence University.