The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to intensify Diplomatic relations with the Canadian Government for the sustenance of the fight against insecurity.
Gen Magashi stated this when he received the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nicolas Simard, who paid a courtesy call to the Minister at the Defence Headquarters Abuja.
While lauding decades of the Military bilateral Cooperation between Nigeria and Canada, the Minister noted that the ties has progressively and sustainably culminated into the formation a Bi- National Commission in April 2012 which is now beneficial to both countries.
He said with the support of Canada, it is hopeful that an end to extremism in the country is visibly achievable.
Moving forward the Defence Minister told the Canadian High Commissioner to assist in driving national aspirations and request for transfer of technology from Canada to boost the capabilities of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, DICON towards looking – inward for the productions of more sophisticated Military weapons and hardware.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria Nicholas Simard who assumed duty six months ago, described Nigeria as a strategic partner in the effort to attaining global peace and development.
Nigeria established diplomatic relations with Canada two years after her independence in 1960, precisely in 1962.
It is also on record that both countries enjoy common Membership of the Commonwealth, the Global Counter-terrorism Forum and the World Trade Organization.
Mohammad Abdulkadri
Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity.
