A Counter Improvised Explosive Devices and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Center has been inaugurated at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, NASME, in Makurdi.
The centre and a 52-room hostel accommodation was built by the German government in furtherance of the cooperation between it and Nigeria.
The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther, said on Thursday when she visited Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue in Makurdi, that the two projects were example of the sustained partnership between the two countries.
Ms Gunther added that Germany had been training Nigeria military personnel in demobilising Improvised Explosive Devices, in addition to provision of sophisticated equipments to the military.
She said Germany and Nigeria have maintained strong relations spanning over 60 years.
The envoy acknowledged the transformation of Benue by the governor within his few months in office and assured him of Germany’s support to enhance peace in Benue and Nigeria as a whole.
She thanked Alia for the warm reception and expressed willingness to partner with his government.
Responding, Mr Alia commended the Ambassador for the visit and called for stronger collaboration with the state in the areas of education, healthcare, security, cultural tourism, environmental conservation and climate change, among others.
He said the government would leverage Germany’s expertise to improve the fortunes of the state, and called for support to resettle people displaced by conflicts in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, who led the team to Benue, stated that President Bola Tinubu had mandated the ministry to end banditry across the country.
Mr Kana lauded the long standing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Germany, saying the German government has invested heavily in strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria armed forces.
The officials later inaugurated the hostel accommodation and inspected the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Center.
NAN
