ISLAMABAD: The Defense Adviser Brigadier General Nasiru Usman Muktar & his spouse Hajiya Hauwa N Muktar hosted a reception on the occasion of Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan Tbt, NI(M), Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force was the Chief Guest. High commissioners, ambassadors, Senior military officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces, Defence advisers and attachés’ of Different Countries High Commissioners and High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Amb Maj Gen Ashimiyu Adebayo Olaniyi, OON,mni and Dean of Diplomatic corps & Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan said both Nigeria and Pakistan have cordial relation. He said that the Nigerian Pakistan defence cooperation has spanned decades, beginning in the early 60s. The military cooperation between the two brotherly countries span areas of training, acquisition of hardware, logistics and platforms of the NA, NN and NAF. Pakistan has also cooperated with Nigeria in terms of military hardware to prosecute the counter terrorism war against Boko haram insurgents.
Celebrating the Armed Force Day, the Brigadier General Nasiru Usman Muktar said that Nigerian Armed Forces have partnered with many friendly countries, most of whom are represented in this esteemed audience, in our bid to build a peaceful and prosperous nation and contribute to a better world. Pakistan Armed Forces have been a key ally in this regard.
Nasiru Usman Muktar said that the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, which is observed annually every 15th January, to remember and honour our fallen heroes and compatriots. This Event is also to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War and appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans who fought in the First and Second World Wars, United Nations peace keeping operations, internal security operations and counter terrorism war not only to safeguard a united and prosperous Nigeria, but also to bequeath us a safer and more peaceful world. Furthermore, the celebration affords us the opportunity to project the Nigerian Armed forces as instruments of national unity, integration and development.
Brigadier General Nasiru Usman Muktar said that Pakistan has partnered with Armed Forces of Nigeria in the sharing of experience, training, exercises, equipment maintenance and upgrades and induction of cutting-edge platforms and aircraft, such as the versatile Super Mush shack trainer aircraft and the Multi-Role JF 17 Thunder Fighter. Indeed, many other countries some of whose DA’s are in this gathering, are also collaborating with the Nigerian Government and its Armed Forces on capacity building, equipment support, intelligence sharing and many other critical areas, for which we are highly grateful. This critical support has assisted the Armed Forces of Nigeria to transform and innovate in tandem with current realities and changing dynamics of security challenges and the environment.