By JOHN ONAH, Abuja
The Nigerian Army and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund)
collaboration to boost defence capabilities through research and
development nnovations has elicited the interest of the Chief of Army
Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
The interest of Buratai was visibly shown when he recieved the
Executive Secretary of Tetfund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, who was in his
office to discuss the partnership..
Buratai said that Nigeria Army placed premium on research and
development which had given birth to a number of innovations in the
area of military hardware.
He said the army had since established the department of Innovation
and Transformation as well as the Resource Centre where issues of
research and development were being handled.
He added that the army had through research innovation, produced a
number of equipment to aid its operations such as Ezugwu MRAP and
other combat vehicles among others.
”The department of Innovation and Transformation was established and
over the years, it has participated in research and development
exhibitions, seminar and workshops both at home and abroad.
“One of the great researchers in Nigerian Army has through his
innovation produced what we have today as Ezugwu MRAPs and he has not
taken glory for that innovation.
Buratai assured that the army would support the effort of Tetfund in
encouraging research and development in the area of defence and
security, adding that the country would have gone far if the
initiative was conceived earlier.
He also assured of army’s support to the research and development
committee towards establishing the National Research and Development
Foundation being conceived.
According to him, many developed countries are great because of their
research and development efforts, adding that knowledge based economy
rules the world.
“If we had started this 60 years back, we would have been better ahead
of many counties in the world today.
“This is a step in the right direction and I can assure you that in
the next few years, Nigeria will be better for it,” he said.
The COAS also solicited the support of Tetfund for the research effort
of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and Nigerian Army Simulation
Centre to enhance their research output.
He commended Tetfund for the support to the Nigerian Army University
Biu in the provision of infrastructure for the university.
Earlier, Bogoro, said the visit was part of the effort to encourage
research in the field of defence.
He said that in the past warfare was carried out on the field only,
adding that the current warfare was based on innovation.
According to him, for too long, the Nigerian academic community have
been clapping with one hand, adding that there was need to stretch
hands across the isle including the defence industry.
He stated that no nation’s defence and security could be effective
without research and development hence the need to partner the
Nigerian army.
Also, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Njidda Gadzama, said it was
the first time that the Nigerian academic community would speak with
one voice in the area of research and development.
Gadzama said the visit have come to seek the support of the Nigerian
army, adding that the foundation being promoted would greatly benefit
the military.
The Director General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, AVM
Jomo Osahor, said the purpose of the visit was to brief the COAS on
the objective of the Committee and the need to encourage the academia
to venture into research in defence and security.
Osahor added that the visit was also to seek strategic guidance from
the army Chief on how to utilise their capabilities.
He also disclosed that the committee had achieved far reaching
findings, adding that lack of world class laboratory had hindered the
utilisation of those researches.
According to him, the end state of the committee is the establishment
of a research and development foundation.