Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were three presentations made by the Subject Experts on Eastern Europe, North America and Middle East, North Africa and Turkey
The first presentation by Brig Gen Ak Egwuagu (Rtd) subject experts on Eastern Europe dwelled his presentation on the Detention Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Timur Ivanov in Custody by the Russia’s Court on wed 24 April 2024 on the Suspicion of taking bribes as reported on (Reuters) According to the court service, it is believed that Ivanov had entered into a criminal conspiracy with third parties and had teamed up with them in advance to commit an organised group. The Case is perhaps the highest profile corruption case Since President Vladimir Putin deployed troops in Ukraine in 2022 and the 48 year old Ivanov faces 15 years jail if convicted.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brig Gen Ak Egwuagu (Rtd) stated that Corruption is Complex Phenomenon which Manifests in all known Social institution, Such that high profile Corruption cases Similar to that of Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister also Previals in Nigeria. He pointed out that On 8 Jan 24 Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu over corruption allegation of illegal use of private bank account for her ministry’s financial transaction. Similarly, her predecessor, Sadiya Umar Farouq was invited by the EFCC in Jan 24 for investigation on alleged corruption charges in the disbursement of public funds during her time as minister. The recent anti-graft case of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has been trending in the social media.
He recommended that, Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC in concert with the judiciary should revive all abandoned high profile cases of politicians and government officials with maximum punishment for those found guilty to serve as deterrence and also The DSS and INEC should carry out a thorough vetting of all persons seeking to run for political offices to ascertain an acceptable level of integrity to qualify them to hold public office.
In another development the second presentation for the day was made by Maj Gen AP Ahmadu subject experts North America focused his Presentation on Jamaica Records Us$4.38 Billion Earnings from Tourism’’ He Quoted that On the 30th April 2024, the Ministry of Tourism in Jamaica stated that the Preliminary gross earnings from tourism were estimated at a record US$4.38 billion for fiscal year 2023/24 as the sector continues its exponential growth. Stopover arrivals were recorded at 2.96 million, reflecting a 9.4 per cent increase over the 2022 period, with cruise arrivals reaching 1.34 million, up by 9 per cent from the previous period in 2022/23.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Maj Gen AP Ahmadu noted that According to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), the tourism industry is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, with a projected revenue total of US$2.95 billion in 2023/2024. The Nigerian government has also been collaborating with the private sector to develop the industry. The private sector has been of great help in investing, with several hotels and resorts opening up in recent years. COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on the tourism industry due to travel restrictions and border closures, causing a sharp drop in tourism activity.
He recommended that, Federal Government of Nigeria should revisit existing master plan and tourism development initiatives to review what has been done and what is outstanding. This review would lay the groundwork for a sustainable tourism strategy that sets realistic targets and also improve capacity-building programmes which can help these entities navigate the complexities of the industry and make informed decisions to create a more welcoming environment for both domestic and international tourist.
Similarly the third presentation for the day was made by Brig Gen SO Oloyede subject experts Middle East, North Africa and Turkey focused his Presentation on Turkey’s Growing Drone Export. Crisis Group (2023) reported that low-cost and high-performing Turkish-made drones are capturing an increasing share of the global market. Its flagship – the Bayraktar TB2 drone is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone. Crisis Group (2023) further posited that it has proven effective on various battlefields, costs less and performs better than rival models. While the Economic Times (2023) stated that the MQ-9 Reaper, a leading US made armed drone is sold at $32 Million dollars per unit.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brig Gen SO Oloyede stressed that, Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts against Boko Haram Terrorists in the North East Nigeria necessitated the use of drones for battlefield intelligence and actual combat, with initial assistance from the US. Lionel (2023) observed that Nigeria and Türkiye discussed building an ANKA-S co-production facility in the country in 2023. Ministry of Defence (2024), revealed that Perforce has diversified into production of home-made drones within Nigeria, showcasing the country’s growing self-sufficiency in defence capabilities. Nigeria is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to operate armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and to have used them in combat. To supplement its drone fleet, and increase self-reliance, NAF started developing its own UAVs.
He recommended that, Federal Government of Nigeria should stipulate that non-indigenous drone producers in Nigeria pass on 50 percent of the contract value to domestic subcontractors and also FGN should direct the Federal Ministry of Aviation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence to come up with laws and guidelines surrounding domestic and external drone usage in compliance with international standards.
