BY: Joy Odor/Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (COAS) has charged the Republic of Benin Chief of Army Staff, Colonel Fructeux Gbaguidi Abdias (COAS) to take advantage of training facilities of the Nigerian Army for the benefit of Republic of Benin’s Army officers and soldiers.
Lieutenant General Buratai who gave the charge at the Army Headquarters, Abuja when the Republic of Benin Chief of Army Staff paid him a courtesy call stated that Nigerian Army has incorporated French language in its institutions to enable it collaborate effectively with our neighbouring countries, particularly Benin Republic.
The Director Army Public Rations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman disclosed this in a press statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna, North-West, Nigeria onThursday.
According to the statement, Lieutenant General Burata recalled that Nigeria and Benin Republic have had a long cordial relationship, maintaining that they are best of friends and partners in different peacekeeping operations, joint military operations under the auspices of ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
He thanked Colonel Abdias for the visit and pledged the Nigerian Army’s support to the Republic of Benin’s Army on manpower development, particularly on military training.
Responding, Colonel Fructeux Gbaguidi Abdias commended the Nigerian Army for its leading role in restoration of peace and security in the West African sub-region and concerted efforts in peacekeeping all over the world.
The visiting Benin Republic’s Chief of Army Staff, thanked the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff for the warm reception accorded him, adding that he was in Nigeria to participate in a seminar on West African Land Forces held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja from 26th to 27th September 2017 and deemed it necessary to visit his Nigerian Army counterpart.
He informed that it was imperative to pay courtesy call on his Nigerian counterpart since he was visiting Nigeria for the first time and to interact with him on ways to enhance the bi-lateral relationship between his country and the Nigeria.
Colonel Abdias e was of the opinion that the visit was also in appreciation of the critical leading role Nigerian Army is playing in peace restoration and maintenance not only in the West African sub-region, but the entire world. He solicited for continued support and cooperation between the two Armies.
