Nigeria’s road to self reliance and self sufficiency in basic but elementary military hardwares seems smoothened in view of General Tukur Buratai’s discovery at the country’s Defence and Industry Corporation of Nigeria, DICON.
Buratai who is the Chief Of Army expressed satisfaction and commanded the level of achievements and transformation achieved within one year by the Director General of the Corporation, Major General V.O Ezugwu. He made the commendation on Thursday 25 June 2020 during one year anniversary of Maj Gen Victor Ezugwu as the DG DICON in the premises of the corporation in Kaduna.
General Buratai was optimistic that with the state of the real transformation in infrastructure, equipment and general facilities at DICON, Nigeria is on the path of attaining self sufficiency in military armaments and hardwares.
He said Nigerian Army has made sufficient investment to support DICON to accelerate research and development in local production of weaponry and assorted military equipments. The collaborative efforts and result oriented partnership between DICON and Command Engineering Depot Kaduna has achieved tremendous successes in repairs and production of vehicles and weapons for troops in different theaters of operations in Nigeria. This ingenuity has not only boost the morale and fighting spirit of troops, but has saved the country huge resources on importation of arms, ammunition and other military hardwares-equipment.
General Buratai was conducted round the newly rejuvenated factories and some production lines where he inspected some products and materials produced by DICON. He opined that with the level of progress of work and the zealousness of DICON Staff, soon Nigeria will start production of helicopters and jet fighters.
He expressed appreciation to the President, Commander – in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his numerous supports and directions.
He used the opportunity to reassure President Buhari of unflinching loyalty, resolve and determination of the Nigerian Army to combating the myriads of security threats in Nigeria within the shortest time possible.
While applauding the quality leadership of DICON, he urged the management and the entire staff to redouble their efforts with utmost dedication and selfless disposition to assigned responsibilities in order to consolidate on the successes recorded so far.
In a related development, Gen Buratai also inspected multiple ongoing projects in Jaji Military Cantonment, where he performed the ground breaking for the construction of Polo Club House and Stable for Infantry Polo Club. He also planted a tree at Infantry Zoological Gardens in Jaji.