Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has called for partnership between the Federal University Dutse (FUD) Jigawa State and the Ministry of Defence in the area of conflict resolution and research on military equipment production and repair through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
He stated this when he received the vice chancellor of FUD, Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed and management staff of the university in Abuja.
In a statement by the Ministry of Defence’s director of press, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, the minister said he is open to collaboration with the Federal University Dutse and other indigenous companies in conflict resolution and the production of defence equipment.
He stressed the importance of collaboration in conflict resolution studies and research for defence hardware production.
Badaru said, “With our DICON Bill, we are encouraging our indigenous companies to be involved in the production of weapons, ammunition and spare parts for our military hardware”.
The minister commended the VC for his leadership and innovations, urging for sustained collaboration for national benefit.
For his part, the vice chancellor of Federal University Dutse, Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, congratulated the minister on his achievements and acknowledged his contributions to the university‘s development during and after his tenure as Jigawa State governor, including the establishment of the university‘s teaching hospital and flagship structures.
He said, „Your contributions to the development of our university as the governor of Jigawa State are enormous and unprecedented, and your continued contributions to date.“
DICON is a Nigerian company responsible for producing military equipment and hardware for the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Its main objective is to achieve self-sufficiency in military equipment production, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and enhance Nigeria‘s defence capabilities.