The Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) on a study tour has commended the drive of the Air Force Institute of Technology in harnessing local content for Research and Development (R&D). The commendation was made by Brigadier General MI Alkali who led the AWCN course 6/2022 on the tour to AFIT. The General stated that the purpose of the visit was to assess some national strategic establishments to enable participants of the college to have first-hand knowledge of the contributions of these establishments to the attainment of National Defence objectives. He maintained that the tour is aimed at affording participants an opportunity to appreciate the current potential capacity towards contributing directly or indirectly to National Defence within the context of Nigeria’s strategic objectives.
He further stated that the AWCN is an Institution that was recently established to train officers to fill staff requirements and higher appointments as operational level leaders in the future. He said that part of the modular structure of the course is the national security and organization of defence module where participants analyse the various aspects of national security.
Speaking further, Brig. Gen Alkali stated that the team consists of five Faculty members and 32 participants drawn across the Armed Forces, it is an International Institute with participants from the Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Liberia. He also added that other participants include representatives from Nigerian Police Force, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
During the interactive session, the Director of Research Development and Linkages Brig Gen S Ahmad informed the Commandant that the tour was an eye-opener into research and development. He said AFIT has so many prospects than are obtainable in other Institutions which is highly laudable. He also mentioned that the backing of NUC, NBTE and the Air Force has made the Institute outstanding and unique from other conventional Institutions. Brig. Gen Ahmad noted that AFIT is at the forefront of Research and Development, especially within the Armed Forces. He said AFIT has broadened its horizon within the level of research activities it has embarked on, as well as the efforts it has put in the support of National Security.
While commending AFIT’s quest to meet manpower requirements, Brig. Gen Ahmad said that AFIT has developed personnel and non-personnel alike. He applauded the Institute for identifying the capabilities of the personnel who are out of the service and re-engaging their services to harness their knowledge for the development Force has made the Institute outstanding and of the Institution. He said from 2018 till date, AFIT has pumped qualified technical manpower into the society compared with other Institutions.
Accordingly, he mentioned that the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) has been making efforts at the research level to bring all the services together for better results. He further urged AFIT to liaise with other research Institutes and initiatives of the DRDB to curb challenges of Research and Development in the nation to form better Armed Forces.
In his response, the Commandant AFIT, AVM MA Yakubu ably represented by the Deputy Commandant AVM CC Ozougwu mentioned that AFIT has the prospect of being the only institution in Nigeria which runs 3 programs. He further added that AFIT still remains the institution that provides 70% of manpower to the Nigerian Air Force both in aviation and the engineering sector. He appreciated the team and assured them that the
visit will improve and enhance the existing relationship between AWCN and AFIT. Highlights of the event included exchange of pleasantries and souvenirs, with group photograph.