The federal government has disclosed that it is reviewing the selection process of the nation’s Defence Adviser’s and the entire Defence Adviser/Defence Attaché’ system.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin who made the disclosure at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Defence Adviser’s conference in Abuja on Friday, noted that the review was aimed at making the Defence Advisers system not only more efficient but in line with global best practices in defence diplomacy.
While noting his delight that in the last 13 days, “Our” Defence Advisers have been taken through a refresher training, the CDS said the idea of the refresher training was to improve the skills of the Defence Advisers for effective performance of their duties.
His words, “I am aware that the conference also reviewed the operational activities of the Defence Sections, as well as their administrative issues in the current year with a view to projecting for the coming year, 2019.
“I believe that these 2 weeks have rigorous but very rewarding for both the Defence Advisers and Defence Intelligence Agency Staff.
On administrative and logistics challenges highlighted during the conference, the CDS said, “I wish to reiterate that no military, no matter how advanced, can completely meet all its logistics needs.
“However, I assure you (Defence Advisers), that the ministry of Defence, Defence headquarters and the Defence Intelligence Agency will continue to support you, to ensure that the Defence Advisers system functions optimally”.
He then commended the Defence Intelligence Agency for its responsiveness to the needs of the Defence sections noting that it is in line with the aspirations of the Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari.
Earlier, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Sani Usman said, “The theme of this year’s conference ‘Collaboration Among Security Agencies: The Role of the Defence Attaché System’ could not have been more suitable considering the security challenges confronting our nation”.
“Current trends and developments as well as the multi-faceted nature of threats prevalent in the country and indeed the globe, have brought to fore, the need for increased synergy and collaboration among intelligence and security agencies both within and outside the country in order to enhance our capacity to maximize government’s huge investments in the security sector”.
“The counter-terrorism success story in the North East and the Lake Chad Basin would be incomplete without recognizing the fusion of military, diplomacy and inter-agency collaboration at all levels”.
“On this note, I charge you all to continue to leverage opportunities in your respective countries of accreditation to intensify the provision of timely and objective intelligence in support of the armed forces and decision makers.
“As prime managers of the Defence Attaché’ system, your role in the attainment of strategic defence related alliances and engagements remain key in Nigeria’s capacity to respond to current and anticipated threats.
END
