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DICON partners int’l, local firms to bolster production– CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON ) now partners international and local firms to bolster its production of arms and ammunition.
Musa said this was in line with the DICON Act 2023, assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
The act seeks to foster growth of indigenous companies within the Military Industrial Complex.
The CDS stated this at a 5km Health Walk in its commemoration of the corporation’s 60th anniversary on Saturday in Kaduna.
The CDS was represented by the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj-Gen John Ochai.
He said, “The 60th anniversary is significant considering its establishment four years after independence.”
”It is critical to pay tribute to the worthwhile leaders who saw the necessity to establish the very important corporation.”
Musa added that the act, which expanded its scope, significantly showed that the reform programme of the current Director-General has been given presidential seal and approval of the National Assembly.
He said, “From the brief we received, there is no more stopping DICON, they have gone into international and local partnership to begin production of arms and ammunition.
“As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Defence Academy currently use ammunition produced by DICON and we are aware that the Nigerian Army has also invested in purchasing arms and ammunition from the corporation.”
Musa said that more of such partnerships would be struck to produce other military hardware such as armoured vehicles, ships, tanks, air crafts and other defence-related products.
He said,”This will go a long way in conserving foreign exchange for the nation and the exports, which will earn income to the nation.
”By doing so, the Federal Government will have enough resources to spend on other aspects of national life to enhance the livelihood and standard of living of the average Nigerian.
”What has happened at 60 is very significant not only to the corporation and the armed forces of Nigerian but for the nation in general.”
The CDS recalled that, prior to the contemporary age, arms manufacturing was exclusive for the developed world.
Musa said: ”Now Nigeria has joined in the sparing of this human endeavor, which is a cause to be proud of by any Nigerian.. There is no longer stopping DICON.”
Earlier, the director-general of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, thanked Tinibu for assenting to the DICON Act 2023.
Edet stressed, ”It has given the corporation the robustness and impetus to be able to do far more in terms of productions.
”The establishment of DICON was a very important action and it is now a national strategic asset to the country.”
He, therefore, said the corporation at 60, has many things to be celebrated.
Edet listed them to include the mandate for self-sufficiency, which would be strengthened and rekindled so as to be able to produce for the armed forces and other security agencies.
He equally said they were celebrating not only the support they were getting from the president, but also from the Minister of Defence, the CDS, the service chiefs and the heads of paramilitary institutions.
“Even the Inspector-General of Police has indicated interest to patronise DICON,” he said.
Edet added that they were celebrating strategic partnerships, adding, ”what we are doing in the corporation is reforming, and producing innovatively through embracing modern technologies to meet the needs of the armed forces.
”DICON is celebrating the fitness of its men, which was why we had a five kilometers walk.”
According to him, if the men are not fit and sound in mind, they would not be able to produce.
“We put the welfare and health of the men at fur, which is also one of the five pillars of our management focus.
”This is why a range of programmes that we lined out to celebrate the anniversary included the Juma’at prayers.
“We believe God has answered our prayers by giving us good weather today, we had a football match and a very robust engagement today.
”Tomorrow, we will have the interdenominational service and other programmes lined up for the celebration.
“We are celebrating the vision of our forefathers who thought it wise to establish this asset known as DICON four years after our independence.
“The nearest to it in the whole of Africa is the Armscore in South Africa which came on board in 1968 and the Donnie which came on board in 1992,” Edet said.
He stated the need for the corporation to refocus in view of the current realities to encourage indigenous production.(NAN)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Christians and other Nigerians, to leverage the lessons of Christ’s resurrection and imbibe the message of hope and victory over the nation’s current challenges.
Jonathan stated this in his Easter message, by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, on Friday in Abuja.
Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to remain positive and draw strength from Christ’s love and sacrificial death for humanity and his gift of salvation.
The former president reminded leaders to be selfless and embrace the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“I join millions of Christians around the world to commemorate Good Friday.
“This day reminds us all of the sacrificial death of Christ for humanity and His gift of salvation and redemption to all believers.
“This moment reminds Christians of servanthood and passion of service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who died to save humanity from sin and reconcile all to God.
“At Easter, we reflect on the power of Christ’s love, the gift of righteousness and the triumph of hope over despair and every challenge in life,” Jonathan said.
He further noted that the death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, awakens all to the boundless love of God toward mankind.
The former president also said that Easter also served as a reminder of the possibilities, faith in God, offered man on earth.
“I urge all citizens to be encouraged by the story of the resurrection of Christ and the lessons of hope and victory that are contained in it.
“Let us be reminded about the purpose of salvation and the essence of mercy and the triumphing power of faith and hope over all circumstances,” he said.
Jonathan also urged the citizens to remain positive of the possibilities within the nation.
He also urged Nigerians to draw strength through hope that the people would triumph over challenges they faced, both as individuals and collectively as a nation.
“This moment points us to the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service. Let us recommit to pursuing peace and justice for all.
“As a people, let this season renew our faith, strengthen our hope and guarantee us peace.
“Let us continue to imbibe and pursue these virtues and work toward building a nation of peace, unity and love,” he said.(NAN)
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Abubakar Yunusa
Nyesom Wike has described talks about a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu as not sincere and believes those behind it are doing so for selfish reasons.
Wike, the Minister of the FCT, said this in Abuja on Friday during a media chat, accusing the masterminds of running away from issues bedevilling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party.
He said, “those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?
“Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.
“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” the immediate past governor of Rivers state said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are among political heavyweights planning to float a coalition to dislodge President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
That push has continued to make headlines in the country in the past months, but Wike said those behind it, especially members of the main opposition PDP, should fix their party instead.
Wike criticised Atiku, the arrowhead of the coalition movement, saying the ex-VP is about to make the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.
The minister, who is a member of the PDP, also said the party is not ready for the next presidential election scheduled for 2027.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.
“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”
Governor Uba Sani says his administration has improved access to tertiary education in Kaduna State by reducing tuition fees of state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and a public lecture, the Governor stated that the tuition cut has enabled more students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university degrees with greater ease.
Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the students for honouring him with the Sword of Honour Award and acknowledged their recognition of his administration’s developmental strides.
He reassured the students of his government’s continued support, urging them to maintain peace to allow development initiatives to thrive. “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course,” he said.
The Governor advised students not to allow themselves to be used by agents of disunity and chaos, warning that no meaningful development can occur in a climate of unrest and distrust. However, he commended students for being “reliable partners of progress.”
Addressing the issue of security, Uba Sani recalled how parts of the state were under siege due to insecurity, which disrupted farming and business activities. He said the situation has improved considerably through the efforts of security agencies, leading to safer roads, the return of farmers, and the reopening of local markets—including the Birnin Gwari cattle market after a decade-long closure.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure efforts, the Governor said his administration has embarked on over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, many of which are rural link roads. He added that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centres upgraded. Additionally, new schools are being constructed while existing ones are being refurbished to create a better learning environment.
The student union explained that Governor Uba Sani was awarded the Sword of Honour for his commitment to educational development. They praised the tuition reduction and the establishment of new faculties at KASU, including his facilitation of the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering.
They also commended the Governor’s directive allowing students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees, describing it as a gesture of compassion and commitment to inclusive education.
The union concluded that Governor Uba Sani has redefined good governance by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.