By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi, rtd, over the weekend, joined President Muhammadu Buhari to virtually commission 700 Ashok Leyland Troops Carrying Vehicles in Abuja.
Speaking during the commissioning, Magashi noted that at times like this when the country is facing myriads of security challenges, the acquisition of the vehicles represents yet another significant milestone to reposition the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He said the Federal Government is cognizant of the significance of troop’s logistics mobility for effective operational efficiency, adding that the implementation of the president’s Executive Order 5, EO5, is providing employment to Nigerians.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, who led a team constituted by the ministry to interface with Messrs Stallion Motors Ltd that delivered the initial 50 buses in 2014, and now the 700 vehicles, thanked president Buhari for all the support that culminated into the commissioning ceremony even when hope seemed lost.
Dr Abubakar expressed delight that the vehicles were produced in Nigeria by Nigerians. He said the engagement of Messrs Stallion Motors Limited by the ministry was hinged on the minister’s conviction to uphold president Buhari’s desire to promote the utilization of the indigenous technology as enshrined in the Executive Order 5 signed in 2018.
The perm sec harped on the vision of the Defence ministry which is to reposition the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, to deliver on its mandate in line with the foresight of its founding fathers.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President Professor Ibrahim Gambari and top military brass, including the Chief of Defence Staff General Leo Irabor and Service Chiefs.
