Research Development And Innovation Has Been Instrumental To Prosecuting War Against Terrorists

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has said through research development and innovation, the Nigerian Army has been able to appreciably respond to security challenges by procuring hardware that prosecute war against the Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements troubling the country.  

He said with today's rapidly evolving, complex and adaptive global security landscape, the need to leverage cutting-edge technology and innovation solutions have made research, development and innovations imperative. 

The Chief of Army Staff stated this while declaring open, the Nigerian Army Research Development and Innovation Seminar held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, the Nation's Capital. 

Addressing the participants at the seminar with the theme, "Research Development and Innovation in the Military: Strategic Options for the Nigerian Army Operatiinal Effectiveness", the Army Chief said, the Nigerian Army will continue to partner with relevant individuals, institutions and agencies to develop ideas and equipments for better efficiency and effectiveness.  

"The challebges posed by terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, seperatist ageitationa and farmer herders clashes, has made the Nigerian Army to more than ever before leverage innovative solutions and embrace modern technological to operate in the most efficient, cost effective and result oriented manner" stated the Chief of Army Staff. 

According to General Lagbaja, research and development will remain an unending endeavour for the service because the threats are mutating and will keep requiring security forces to adapt and be a step ahead. 

The Minister of Science, technology and innovation Chief Uche Nnaji, who was representated by Dr. Olugbenga Fadipe said without adequate repositioning of the country through knowledge driven economy, it will be difficult to stay afloat, mitigate and mange the various unexpected challenges. He stressed that research and development is not limited to one segment of the system but the entire country. 

The managing Director Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Mrs Nkechi Edehen who said the Nigerian Army is a strategic partner of NIGCOMSAT, commended the Nigerian Army for its innovations that makes it clear that they are ready for what is ahead. 

She therefore encouraged the participants to actively engage in the discussion that would further Strenghten the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army. 

"As the military technology evolves, please do not forget ethical and legal considerations sorrounding the use, military forces must navigate these comolex ethical guidelines, adhere to international humanitarian laws and ensure the responsible use of the emerging technologies" stated 

Earlier, the Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, Major General Zakary Abubarkar, said the seminar seeks to harness expertise of key stakeholders in the military, in academia, captains of the latest Defence Industries, to chart the best approach towards enhancing the Nigerian Army's operational effectiveness, through research development and innovation.