Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening safety partnerships, selling defence innovation and supporting initiatives geared toward addressing rising safety challenges throughout Nigeria and the African continent.
The Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Abdul Usman (rtd), said this whereas representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA, on the official opening ceremony of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026), held at Eko Atlantic, Lagos.
The exhibition, organised by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), was formally declared open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the President of the Senate, who attended because the Special Guest of Honour.
The high-level ceremony attracted outstanding nationwide and worldwide dignitaries, together with the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Ministers of Defence, senior navy officers, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs), Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), the President of the ECOWAS Commission and representatives of state governors.
Speaking on the importance of the exhibition, Col. Usman described AFRIDEX 2026 as an vital platform for strengthening Africa’s collective safety structure by way of technological innovation, defence industrialisation and strategic cooperation.
He famous that the growing complexity of safety threats, together with terrorism, banditry, transnational organised crime and different rising threats, requires higher collaboration amongst governments, safety establishments, defence producers and expertise suppliers.
According to him, Africa should more and more leverage indigenous analysis, native manufacturing capabilities and technological development to develop sustainable options to its safety challenges reasonably than rely solely on exterior sources for important defence gear.
He emphasised that efficient safety administration goes past deployment of personnel and navy {hardware}, stressing the significance of intelligence gathering, surveillance, fashionable communication methods, capability constructing and powerful inter-agency cooperation.
The Special Adviser famous that Sokoto State, below the management of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, recognises the significance of strategic partnerships and fashionable safety options in addressing safety challenges confronting the state and the broader North-west area.
He stated the state authorities stays dedicated to supporting safety companies, strengthening community-based safety initiatives and offering operational sources to enhance federal efforts in the direction of restoring peace and defending lives and property.
Col. Usman additionally expressed optimism that the exhibition would create alternatives for significant partnerships between Nigeria’s defence business and worldwide expertise suppliers, significantly in areas of intelligence, gear manufacturing, border surveillance and unmanned methods.
AFRIDEX 2026, which holds from October 26 to 29 at Eko Atlantic, Lagos, gives a strategic platform for showcasing defence applied sciences, selling indigenous industrial capability and inspiring cooperation amongst African nations and worldwide stakeholders.
