Maroc - SPYETV.COM.NG - A La Une - 14/Aug 14:35

Africa Defence Industries Conference to Unlock New Frontiers in African Defence Capabilities" - CDS, General Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has said the inaugural Africa Defence Industries Conference (ADIC) will serve as a premier platform to achieve DICON objective by bringing industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and explore the future frontiers of defence technology in Africa. General Musa said this today, 14th August 2024 at the DICON 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria and the inaugural African Defence Industries Conference.He said this conference therefore sets the stage to share ideas, promote innovations, and create networking opportunities for DICON and other Defence Related Industries in Nigeria. He said this incidentally, sync with his vision for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which is 'to nurture a professional Armed Forces that is people-centric,collaborative and capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment'. While emphasizing the theme of this conference, which is "DICON @ 60: Future Frontiers in Africa's Defence Technology", General Musa stressed that it underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the complex security challenges facing our continent. According to the Defence Chief, the conference is also a call to innovate, embrace new technologies, and develop solutions that will ensure the security and prosperity of our nation and continent in the years to come. "In a world where the dynamics of warfare and defence are rapidly evolving,it is imperative that we remain at the forefront of technological advancement. "As African nations continue to confront threats to peace and stability, it is essential that we work together to enhance our defence capabilities and foster regional cooperation." As we reflect on the security challenges grappling our respective nations today, there is a growing imperative to fully develop our indigenous production capacities, and strengthen our military industrial cocomple"he notedGeneral Musa who is particularly excited about the introduction of the Maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference (ADIC), that brings together defence experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa and beyond pointed out that this conference is therefore a testament to military  commitment to fostering collaboration and exploring new frontiers in defence technology. "Nigeria, with its rich resources and diverse talent pool, has the potential to lead in the development of cutting-edge defence technologies. However, achieving this requires concerted efforts as well as well as collaboration with other defence industries,research institutions, and the private sector."We must therefore forge strong partnerships, both within Africa and with our global allies, to ensure that we are equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Most importantly, we must also invest in our people, harnessing the intellectual capital and creatvity that abound", he said.Over the past 6 decades, DICON has evolved from a modest initiative into a robust institution, pivotal in manufacturing and supplying firearms,ammunition, and other defence-related equipment as well as civilian products that bolster Nigeria's security and economic resilience.With a commitment to innovation, quality and self-reliance, DICON has expanded its operations to include the development of military vehicles, protective gear, and various industrial products, contributing to Nigeria's national development and national security. This has been further accentuated by the recent signing of the DICON Bill 2023 by His Excellency,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in November 2023 which has bestowed on DICON greater responsibilities and latitude of operation for the establishment of a Military Industrial Complex (MIC)in Nigeria with DICON as the Hub.The CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa alongside the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of the Air Staff graced the inaugural Africa Defence Industries Conference in Abuja. www.twitter.com/spyetv