The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, says the defence cooperation between Nigeria and Russia is a win-win deal and rule out procurement of obsolete equipment.
The minister stated this while briefing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence on Tuesday.
The minister, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Abdulkadri, briefed the committee on the Military Technical Cooperation Agreement.
He said that the agreement was between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Russian Federation.
He said that the performance of the previous technical agreement between 2001 and 2006 before its expiration was impressive, hence the need for its renewal.
Magashi explained that the Legal document took cognisance of the national interests vis-a-vis the operational needs assessment of the military.
He said that the 8-point articles of the agreement covered the acquisition of modern equipment to strengthen the capabilities of the nation’s military and the training of personnel, among other core areas.
He assured the lawmakers of the government’s commitment to flushing out criminal elements from the troubled spots across the country.
Earlier, the Committee Chairman, Mr Babajimi Benson, sought clarifications from the minister on the benefits derivable from the MoU between Nigeria and Russia, among other issues relating to the nation’s security. (NAN)
