The Director of Information and Public Relations in Nigeria’s Ministry of Defense, Henshaw Ogubike, has revealed the commitment of the Permanent Secretary at the country’s Ministry of Defense, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, to fostering enduring peace and cooperation in Africa.
This was contained in a statement made public by Mr. Ogubike following the end of study by a delegation of US Air War College students who were on a foreign study tour in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
Dr. Kana had earlier hosted the delegation, where he expressed his commitment to Africa’s peace and security through peacekeeping operations, noting the US support for Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States, and the African Union.
The two countries—Nigeria and the US—have enjoyed a long-standing diplomatic relationship since the country’s independence in 1960.
Speaking further, Dr. Kana noted that Nigeria’s democratic transition in 1999 further strengthened bilateral ties, particularly in areas like regional peacekeeping in Africa.
However, Mr. Ogubike’s statement emphasized Nigeria’s afrocentric foreign policy and highlighted the nation’s extensive involvement in peacekeeping operations across many African states, including operations in Mali, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The visit by the US Air War College participants is seen as an opportunity to reinforce military cooperation between the two nations, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
Earlier, the delegation’s leader, Colonel Gunter John, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to learn from Nigeria’s approach to defense management and structures. He expressed satisfaction and hoped the military exchange would continue into the future.
