‘Common doctrine by African armed forces ‘ll tackle terrorism’

Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has emphasised the need for combined training and common doctrines by armed forces of African countries to tackle the menace of terrorism and other security challenges on the continent. Speaking at the closing ceremony of a week-long African Partnership Flight Conference organised by the Nigerian Air Force in conjunction with the United States Air Force Africa Command, the minister expressed belief that the training would help reduce the problem of integration of human and material resources from diff erent operational backgrounds.

Dan-Ali who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni, thanked the United States Government for her untiring support towards capacity building initiatives in the Nigerian Air Force. Earlier in his remarks, Chief of the Air Staff , Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar who was represented by the Air Offi cer Commanding Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal IJ Yahaya, noted that the African Partnership Flight was “designed to build strong and transparent partnerships that would foster regional stability and security through formal alliances, partnerships and exchange of ideas among African air forces.” He said the the conference, with the theme “Aeromedical Evacuation and Medical Deployment”, concentrated on capacity building of the aircrew and medical personnel who would be involved in humanitarian and aeromedical evacuation operations. Representative of the United States Team, Maj. Gen. Baldwin, said the programme was mportant to developing “the critical capability of the participants to take care of casualties during operations. He added that the role of the military globally was more than securing the country. The Conference brought together participants from Benin, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria as well as facilitators from the United States of America. Over 100 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Lagos state also benefi ted from free medical services provided as part of activities to end the week-long conference. The services provide, according to NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, include laboratory tests, eye and dental check-ups, provision of free eye glasses, drugs and voluntary HIV test.

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