Army trains 223 personnel in Bangladesh

As part of efforts to improve the capacity of its personnel, the Nigerian Army, under its present leadership, has trained over 223 officers and soldiers in various military training institutions in Bangladesh.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, disclosed this Tuesday when he played host to Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shameen Ashan, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

The Army Chief said the Nigerian Army had a lot to gain from their Bangladesh counterpart, adding that the Army authorities would continue to train Nigerian soldiers and officers in Bangladesh military institutions to enhance their professional, administrative and combat efficiency.

“Bangladesh is a great country and it is moving very fast in term of development adding that the country had continued to progress in terms of infrastructure, economy and military,” he said.

“The armed forces of Bangladesh are doing very well and we are very happy to associate with you.

“The space is still very wide, we still have more to gain from Bangladesh armed forces and so far, the Nigerian armed forces has trained over 223 officers in the various schools and military institutions of Bangladesh.

“As a sort of exposing our officers to international military education, we shall continue to send our officers to Bangladesh to retrain in tactic, staff duties in Bangladesh.”

The Army Chief urged the government of Bangladesh to take advantage of the numerous armed forces training institutions in Nigeria to send their officer aside the Nigerian National Defence Collage (NDC).

He said participants from Bangladesh got the award of the Chief of Defence Staff and also came top among international participants at the last NDC Course 27 graduation in Abuja.

He said his study in Bangladesh military institution  has contributed to the successes recorded in the counter insurgency operations in the north east.

“Bangladesh has been a great partner in terms of diplomacy and your effort here is quite commendable. We have a lot to gain from Bangladesh in terms of trade and commerce and military relations,’’ he said.

Earlier, Bangladeshi High Commissioner said Nigeria and Bangladesh had maintained cordial bilateral relations over a period of time in many areas, adding that the two countries shared a lot of similarities.

Ashan said his visit to the army chief was part of his efforts geared towards strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said that Bangladesh was currently working in closer cooperation with Nigeria in the area of agriculture, in education and increased military cooperation.

“My meeting with the Chief of Army Staff today and interaction with the senior officers will mark a watershed in taking our relations in military cum military cooperation forward,” he said.

“You know that Nigeria has been hosting Bangladesh senior officers at the National Defence Collage and happy to announce that some of you may be allowed to attend some training in Bangladesh which is a big opportunity.

“I am working towards that to ensure that we explore more opportunities because a part from NDC and Staff, there are other institutes where Nigerians can have opportunity.

“Both Nigeria and Bangladesh strongly believe that they can contribute to global peace process beyond their borders in an era of growing violence, intolerance and conflicts.

“I promise that Bangladesh with me as high commissioner in Abuja will do my best that both countries work closely to ensure cooperation.”

The high commissioner disclosed that Bangladesh has become a role model in the world, adding that its economic growth was at 7.86 per cent in 2018 financial year.

He said that the country has been growing in all sectors, adding that Bangladesh had achieved self-sufficiency in food production to cater for its 165 million population and target to be middle income country by 2025.

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