PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
US-AFRICOM Commander visits Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Cater Ham, has arrived in Nigeria for a four-day visit, offering to strengthen the partnership and cooperation between the armed forces of both nations in the Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea sea lanes.
US African Command participates in military-to-military engagements with the Armed Forces of Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government. The joint exercises help to boost capacity and improve military interoperability between the two nations and within the sub-region.
Gen. Ham’s visit is the first by any Commander of AFRICOM since the body was established about four years ago to take charge of US security interest in Africa.
The AFRICOM Commander told a select group of journalists that Nigeria's role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is important for regional security, saying the US looks forward to joint cooperation in the areas of communication, logistics and training.
Ham has already held meetings with the National Security Adviser, Gen Owoye Andrew Azazi, Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim and the leadership ECOWAS and its Peace and Security Directorate.
The US, the AFRICOM leader stated, is ready to offer technical assistance to Nigeria in containing internal insurgency, especially with the latest trend of the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) by some violent groups in Nigeria.
He also stated the worry of US on the growing cooperation between outlawed groups within and outside Nigeria, adding that part of the reason for the visit was to find out how the US could help in preventing collaboration between these groups.
Gen Ham said the US was specifically interested in the Nigerian military “simply because our two nations share great communality of interest for security challenges. So, we look at the future and look at whatever can undermine the security in your country and in mine. We share a lot in common. So, in this visit, we are looking at opportunities to meet with Nigerian leaders to explore avenues for us to strengthen and improve on the existing partnerships between the armed forces of the US and that of Nigeria."
He also said the proof of the growing ties between the US and the Nigerian military was the donation of a US Coast Guard vessel to the Nigerian Navy – NNS THUNDER.
The refurbishment of NNS Thunder F90 (formerly CGC CHASE), which was transferred to the Nigerian Navy by the United States Coast Guard last May, is about US$8 million.
The 378-foot warship is undergoing logistics-related refurbishment, which includes the replacement of equipment that is unique to US military. Though the US gave Nigeria the warship, the nation is footing the bill for the refurbishment.
Ham also said he would discuss with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) how to improve maintenance and capabilities of C-130 transport Hercules.
-0- PANA MON/MA 15Aug.2011
US African Command participates in military-to-military engagements with the Armed Forces of Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government. The joint exercises help to boost capacity and improve military interoperability between the two nations and within the sub-region.
Gen. Ham’s visit is the first by any Commander of AFRICOM since the body was established about four years ago to take charge of US security interest in Africa.
The AFRICOM Commander told a select group of journalists that Nigeria's role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is important for regional security, saying the US looks forward to joint cooperation in the areas of communication, logistics and training.
Ham has already held meetings with the National Security Adviser, Gen Owoye Andrew Azazi, Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim and the leadership ECOWAS and its Peace and Security Directorate.
The US, the AFRICOM leader stated, is ready to offer technical assistance to Nigeria in containing internal insurgency, especially with the latest trend of the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) by some violent groups in Nigeria.
He also stated the worry of US on the growing cooperation between outlawed groups within and outside Nigeria, adding that part of the reason for the visit was to find out how the US could help in preventing collaboration between these groups.
Gen Ham said the US was specifically interested in the Nigerian military “simply because our two nations share great communality of interest for security challenges. So, we look at the future and look at whatever can undermine the security in your country and in mine. We share a lot in common. So, in this visit, we are looking at opportunities to meet with Nigerian leaders to explore avenues for us to strengthen and improve on the existing partnerships between the armed forces of the US and that of Nigeria."
He also said the proof of the growing ties between the US and the Nigerian military was the donation of a US Coast Guard vessel to the Nigerian Navy – NNS THUNDER.
The refurbishment of NNS Thunder F90 (formerly CGC CHASE), which was transferred to the Nigerian Navy by the United States Coast Guard last May, is about US$8 million.
The 378-foot warship is undergoing logistics-related refurbishment, which includes the replacement of equipment that is unique to US military. Though the US gave Nigeria the warship, the nation is footing the bill for the refurbishment.
Ham also said he would discuss with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) how to improve maintenance and capabilities of C-130 transport Hercules.
-0- PANA MON/MA 15Aug.2011
