From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd.), has reiterated his commitment to equip Nigeria Defence Space Technologically through partnership with the US Space Force to enhance its capabilities to fight insecurity in the country.
Gen. Magashi stated this while playing host to a five-man US delegation led by the Secretary, US Air Force, Barbara Barrett at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House in Abuja.
The minister said efficient and effective space management by the Defence Space Administration (DSA), is germane to the successful operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the effort to defeat insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
He appealed to the US Secretary to speed up the release of the Super Tucano Aircraft undergoing procurement by the Federal Government which would boost the campaigns by the Nigerian Air Force to demystify the criminal elements in their various hideouts in the forests.
Barrett, who is the fourth woman and 25th to occupy the position as Air Force Secretary comprising of Air Force and US Space Force Areas of Responsibility (AoR), described Nigeria as the destination of choice in Africa for partnership in harnessing space assets through the instrumentality of science and technology in national defence.
She assured the minister that the already established military cooperation between Nigeria and US would be taken to the next level to promote peace and tranquility in the country.
