The President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Otis Anyaeji, has hailed the research activities and reverse engineering under the leadership of the Director- General, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale.
He spoke during a visit to the corporation’s headquarters in Kaduna.
Anyaeji was accompanied by the executives of the professional body.
The president, who said a window of a new horizon to robust relationship between DICON and NSE had been opened with their member at the helm, added that NSE would explore the opportunity to create a better society as stakeholders in the industrialisation of the country.
He said NSE would be more determined under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, adding that his pronouncements, position and posture demonstrated his support for local production, to meet the nation’s industrial need.
“Let us zero in on the President Buhari government. The time we have been waiting for is here. The president has said all we need we can produce, what we cannot produce, we don’t need them.”
Anyaeji said research was germane “to the much-desired industrial breakthrough of our beloved nation”, noting that DICON was working in the area of research and development and NSE would be interested in that.
On the issue of local content act, he said a bill had been introduced, stressing that a holistic approach was necessary to ensure it was not just limited to the oil and gas industry, but other industries.
He noted with delight that DICON was doing well in that area through reverse engineering.
“The present global economic downturn has affected many industries in Nigeria, leading to their deaths, but DICON has remained afloat, which is worthy of commendation and encouragement from well-meaning Nigerians.”
On the proposal of speed limit for commercial vehicles by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Anyaeji said that would be a market of about N40billion, adding that as an advocate of local content, he would like Nigerian engineers to handle the project.
He said the new logo was thought-provoking and challenging, seeing aircraft, tanks and warship on the logo, which, according to him, depicted the direction they were going.
The NSE president said DICON should concentrate its efforts on the smallest ones it has comparative advantage to produce.
Tag: DICON
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You’re a good ambassador of engineers at DICON’
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Military chief to DICON: invest in technology
The Commander Infantry Corps Maj. Gen. I H Edet has advised Defence Industry Corporation (DICON) to talent hunt for science and technology experts.
Gen. Edet spoke when he visited DICON Director-General (DG) Maj. Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale.
He said DICON should not be restricted to what military personnel can do in the proposed Military Industrial Complex (MIC) but should rather go for talent hunt in science and technology in public and private universities.
According to him, there was need for the DG DICON to embark on extensive tour of universities with special emphasis on science and technology universities, adding that departments of physics and chemistry could offer solutions to some of the challenges confronting the Corporation.
He said Crownfield University, England served as an indispensable ally to the military with on extensive research and development to meet the ordnance requirement, adding that research was conducted by the university on making the load of infantry much lighter in theatre of operation.
“Through research they were able to come up with lighter packs, body armour protectors and even lighter rifle. The lighter load will enable the troops to move faster and also make for easy maneuverability.”
The Infantry boss said, he would like DICON to conduct research into the sniper rifle used by infantry soldiers in the theatre of operation, so as to come out with a modified version to serve the army better.
Gen Edet urged DICON to look into the possibility of producing special rope for rappelling, used by paratroopers in infantry training institutions, adding that huge amount had been spent to see how the rope could be produced locally.
Maj Gen Ogunkale said his team had marshal out the template of what the corporation would achieve zeroing in on presidential directives on establishment of military industrial complex, where DICON would be the epicenter.
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CDS Olonisakin hails DICON
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, has hailed the management of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) for its collaboration with foreign and indigenous Defence Related Industries (DRI).
He said such efforts were aimed at repositioning the corporation for better service delivery.
The CDS spoke at the inauguration of some notable projects completed in the last one year both at the Headquarters and Ordnance Factory.
He said he was quite optimistic that by the time most of those efforts were concluded, every well-meaning Nigerian would no doubt be proud of the corporation.
The CDS, who was the Guest of Honour at the inauguration of the projects, said: “Concerning the projects commissioned today, I am happy that DICON management is aware of the need to revamp and solidify the foundation bases of the production process.”I can see that reasonable efforts have been put in place to ensure that production lines and technical staff are ready to commence production as soon as raw materials are available.”
Gen. Olonisakin further stated that he was quite delighted that the welfare of DICON’s personnel has been given priority attention gleaning from recently completed projects at both junior and senior staff quarters. He added that there was the need to win the hearts and mind of the Corporations’ workforce in order to get the desired maximum inputs from them. He therefore charged the DG DICON, Maj Gen Bamidele Ogunkale to keep the flag of excellent track record noticed within the last one year in office unfurled, urging him not to rest on his oars, because there was still much to be done.
On the political will to reposition DICON to a greater height by the Commander in Chief(C-in-C) of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, the CDS noted that the C-in-C had rolled out his vision concerning the corporation when he directed that the Ministry of Defence should urgently articulate a proposal for the establishment of Military Industrial Complex (MIC) to produce weapons and other equipment for the country’s armed forces to reduce reliance on reluctant foreign suppliers.
The CDS in line with the strategic directive of the C-in-C restated his commitment to support DICON by continuing to do the needful in order to ensure that the Corporation meets its goal and objectives. He added that Ministries, Departments and agencies are fully in support of Mr. President’s position as it affects DICON.
Earlier, the DG DICON Maj Gen Ogunkale noted in retrospect that the Corporation was once lauded for living up to the mandate of the founding fathers, especially during the Nigerian civil war but witnessed a sharp decline due to inadequate funding by successive government, low patronage, lack of political will amongst others, adding that almost all the machines and equipment, including installation supports for the production lines had gone moribund.
According to the DG, the turnaround story of DICON could be traced to the political will of Mr. president, who directed the Ministry of Defence to urgently articulate a proposal for the establishment of Military Industrial Complex (MIC), stressing that there had been positive response to the C-in-C’s directives by the Ministry Of Defence and Defence Headquarters under the leadership of the CDS Gen Olonisakin.
The DG stated: “To key into the new strategic directives and the need for relevance both at the domestic and international levels, DICON under my leadership did objective self-assessment, which led to the evolution of a new vision, mission statement and logo to drive the corporation for optimal performance”.
He further disclosed that foundational problems as staff welfare had been confronted headlong with the last one year of his assumption of office, thus eliminating problems that could impact on the smooth takeoff of production at the ordnance factory.
The D-G reeled out about 13 newly completed projects slated for commissioning which included:
DICON filling station, researched and produced mobile solar power generator, renovated DICON staff quarters, remodeled DICON HQ reception; others are new transformers, newly constructed foyer, newly rehabilitated road from ordnance factory to R&D centre among others.
The commissioning ceremony took place on 20 January 20. It was graced by the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olonisakin as the Guest of Honour. Others in attendance were the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Adeniyi Oyebade, the Commandant,Nigerian Defence Academy, Maj-Gen Tasiu Ibrahim and other dignitaries. -
Security firm’s boss hails DICON D-G’s success
Silver Shadow Advanced Security System Limited Chief Executive Officer Mr. Amos Golan has hailed the efforts of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Director-General Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale at repositioning the corporation for a greater height. Golan described Nigeria as “a big nation with huge potentials that are not common in other nations within the continent of Africa”.
He stated this at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DICON and Silver Shadow Advanced Security Limited, an Israelis company, on production of some military hardware in Nigeria with special emphasis on local content.
According to him, he had visited DICON before the D-G assumed office and he was in a vantage position to compare and contrast between what he saw on ground then and what was put in place by Maj.-Gen. Ogunkale, stressing that there has been a big change in the corporation.
Golan said: “Having signed this MoU with DICON today, we will be fast and thorough for the benefit of your nation; your country has the potentials to be among the leading industrial nations of the world.
“My vision for Nigeria is to have a functional and productive manufacturing DICON with special emphasis on transfer of technology that will be of immense benefit to your country at the long run.”
The Silver Shadow boss hailed the Directorate of Legal, DICON for an excellent job done in the process of packaging the MoU, adding that he saw the MoU as potent document that would bind his company and the corporation together.
“I am optimistic we will succeed as we strive with the same spirit to solve the already identified problems together with same sense of urgency,” he added.
The D-G said he was quite elated to witness the signing of MoU, adding that the MoU was the beginning of a robust relationship with Silver Shadow after due process had been followed leading to a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA).
He described the event as big milestone.
According to him, the path taken to arrive at the signing of the MoU might be slow but what would have constituted some impediments to the race of rapid industrial growth of manufacturing of military products had been taken care of.
“I am delighted to note that we are speaking the same language with Silver Shadow today because we have painstakingly done our own home work well”
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DICON establishes PPP unit to drive industrial devt
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has established Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, its Director General Maj. Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale, said the decision is in line with the Federal government’s directive.
The DG said DICON requested for approval to execute a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with PROFORCE Limited to jointly design and produce Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the Armed Forces and other agencies.
The approval for the plan was granted by the 97th DICON Board meeting held at the Headquarters in Kaduna early in the year.
According to the DG, the Board directed that all proposed JVAs should be forwarded to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for technical input and in line with due process.
The DG also said, that he invited the PROFORCE Chief Executive Officers to be part of the training package as the arrangement to partner with them had gone beyond secondary level, stressing that before the year runs out he was optimistic some APCs must have been rolled out.
Head of Special Project Unit, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Onwodi lauded the bold step taken by DICON to establish a PPP Unit at such a crucial time when the nation was in dire need of partnership with Private sector to drive the economy.
According to him, the nation needed PPP and the government would be interested to take the lead, adding that the much orchestrated enabling environment needed for PPP to thrive would always be provided by the government.
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South Africa’s defence industries to partner DICON
The Executive Director, South African Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association, Mr. Simphiwe Hamilton, has said his country’s defence industries will collaborate with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to transfer technology to DICON.
He spoke at an interactive section with the Director-General, DICON, Maj.-Gen Bamidele Ogunkale, who hosted the South African team at DICON in Kaduna.
According to him, the much-orchestrated African standby force, a continental military organisation, would remain a pipe dream, if the sub-regions do not come together.
Hamilton said: “Nigeria, for example, has the economy and South Africa has the technology. We will be willing to complement Nigeria’s effort in the area of technology to avoid being permanently subservient to the Western countries, who pay lip-service to technology transfer. There is need for political will from leaders on the continent.”
On how the South African defence industries got the skilled manpower to drive its industries, the executive director said they sourced them in high schools and universities, adding that as soon as they discovered those talented in science and technology, they gave them exposure in their defence industries until they were properly groomed.
Hamilton said DICON had good foundation and structure to become great in the West African sub-region, stressing that each of the sub-regions in Africa has one defence industry.
He said he was impressed with the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) DICON was trying to launch. According to him, besides South Africa and Nigeria, he could not remember any country on the continent with a UAV in the air.
Gen. Ogunkale said the South African team was part of President Jacob Zuma’s entourage to Nigeria, adding that he discussed with them on the phone and persuaded them to come to Kaduna for possible areas of collaboration.
He said DICON would explore likely areas of collaboration with domestic and foreign partners, noting that the corporation will streamline programmes of such collaborators, especially the foreign ones.
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Sambo inaugurates committee on DICON
Vice President, Namadi Sambo, on Friday inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The committee’s main responsibility is to look into the structure, operations and activities of DICON with particular reference to its effect on military procurement and production of military equipment in Nigeria.
Inaugurating the committee, the vice president said the defence industry is necessary for “the development of national capacity for defence hardware and other facilities.”
Sambo expressed optimism that with the calibre of people in the committee, it would properly execute its assignment to bring the result that would meet the expectation of the country’s national development objectives and transform the Defence Industry to a higher level.
The terms of reference of the committee are – to review the DICON Act to position it to effectively carry out its regulatory functions to ensure compliance with guidelines in the procurement in the country; to determine ways to encourage private sector participation not just in the activities of DICON but also in the production of military equipment; to propose a sustainable funding framework to enhance the development of defence equipment in Nigeria; to determine ways to encourage ways of patronage of foreign countries and to consider or otherwise the establishment of training institute.
The committee has four weeks to complete its assignment.
The members of the committee are – the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Ministers of Works; Interior; Trade and Investment; Defence; National Planning; Police Affairs; Aviation; Transport; Science and Technology; Others are DG, DICON; DG, Bureau of Public Procurement; DG, Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission; Commandant, NDA; Representative of National Security Adviser; Representatives of all Service Chiefs and the Representative of Inspector General of Police.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation serves as the Secretary of the committee.