By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has commended the significant contributions of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to Nigeria’s defence architecture.
Matawalle made the commendation at the DICON 60th Anniversary and the Maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference held at the Shehu Musa Ya’rdua Center, Abuja on Wednesday.
He also applauded the corporation’s support providing the Nigerian Armed Forces with essential equipment and supporting the development of the nation’s military capabilities.
He said, ”Today, we gather not only to celebrate six decades of DICON’s remarkable journey but also to chart a new course for the future of Nigeria’s defence sector and the broader African continent.
“The establishment of DICON in 1964 was a bold and visionary step towards self-reliance in Nigeria’s defence capabilities, and it has since become a vital pillar of our national security.
“Over the past 60 years, DICON has made significant contributions to our nation’s defence architecture, providing the Nigerian Armed Forces with essential equipment and supporting the development of our military capabilities. Therefore, we take immense pride in this legacy of resilience and innovation.”
The Minister expressed optimism that the future holds even greater opportunities for growth and transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria.
He thank President Tinubu for the recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023, adding that the new legal framework empowers DICON to operate with greater autonomy and efficiency, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving defence needs of the nation.
“However, as we stand on the threshold of a new era, it is clear that the future holds even greater opportunities for growth and transformation of indigenous production in Nigeria.
“The recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023 by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, marks a turning point in the history of our defence sector. This new legal framework empowers DICON to operate with greater autonomy and efficiency, enhancing its ability to meet the evolving defence needs of our nation.
”Today’s celebration also serves as the platform for the launch of DICON’s Vision and Strategy Road Map 2030. This strategic plan is aligned with the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and is designed to position DICON as a leader in defence innovation, not just in Nigeria but across the African continent,” he said.
Matawalle added, ”The roadmap outlines clear objectives for strengthening our national security, promoting sustainable development, and driving economic diversification through defence sector industrialization, digitization, and innovation.
“I am particularly excited about the launch of the Maiden Africa Defence Industries Conference. This is a groundbreaking initiative that will bring together defence experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa and beyond. This conference is a testament to our commitment to fostering collaboration and exploring new frontiers in defence technology.”
According to the him, embedded within the Africa Defence Industries Conference is the Defence Innovation Challenge.
“The Challenge is an initiative designed to pull Nigeria’s young skilled talents together, stimulate and reward groundbreaking innovations in defence. This challenge, conceptualized by Kryterion Limited in partnership with DICON, will provide a platform for young innovators, startups, and research institutions to present their cutting-edge solutions to enhance national and regional security.
“As we move forward into the future, it is imperative that we all work together; government, industry, academia, and the private sector, to realize the ambitious goals set out in the soon-to-be-launched Vision and Strategy Road Map 2030.
“Today, the challenges we face are complex, but with unity, determination, and innovation, we can overcome them and build a stronger, more self-reliant defence sector that will be a source of pride for Nigeria and a model for other nations,” he said.
The Minister congratulated the leadership, management and the entire staff of DICON, as he equally expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support to DICON and the defence sector at large.
Also speaking, the Director General, DICON, Major General Aniedi Edet said the corporation is committed to pioneering the development of cutting-edge defence technologies that address both current and emerging security challenges.
He expressed the corporation’s commitment to investing in the country’s human resources which he said is fundamental in building a viable Military Industrial Complex.
According to him, DICON is also committed to building international partnerships and collaborations, “through which we can share innovations and technologies already existing on the global stage”.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin in his remark noted that DICON has played a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s security and sovereignty.
“Over the past six decades, the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria has played a vital role in safeguarding our nation’s security and sovereignty. From developing cutting-edge technology to training our brave men and women in uniform, the industry has been a cornerstone of our national defence.
“Today, we celebrate its achievements and look ahead to a future filled with even greater promise and potential,” the CDS said.
The CDS urged all stakeholders to innovate, embrace new technologies, and develop solutions that will ensure the security and prosperity of Nigeria and the African continent in the years to come.
Highlights of the event include the launch of the DICON Anniversary book, and unveiling of new DICON logo.
