Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President, (ICCI) Lauds Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni efforts for boosting Pakistan-Nigeria Military ties besides attracting Pakistani Investors to Nigeria

By Abdul Majeed

Federal Capital, Islamabad, Pakistan
Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has lauded the personal initiatives of Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni , Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan to broaden bilateral cooperation in the area of Defense collaboration between Pakistan-Nigeria besides cementing Trade and Investment Links between Federal Republic of Nigeria and Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Agricultural Research and Equipments, Pharmaceuticals, Surgical and Textile during his Diplomatic Assignment in Pakistan from 2012 to 2015.

Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President (ICCI) said that Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni during his Diplomatic Assignment in Pakistan (2012-2015) attracted a great number of Pakistani Investors and Industrialists from Punjab and Sindh Province who are currently working in Nigeria in establishment of Rice Processing Plants, Fertilizers, Agricultural Machinery like Production of Tractors, Pharmaceutical products and Textile garments. All these measures resulted in significant improvement in Pakistan-Nigeria Economic Relations and bilateral Trade Volume jumped from US $ 80 Million to US $ 500 Million

He added that at the same time, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni’s contribution to further strengthen Defence and Military ties between Pakistan-Nigeria cannot be ignored as Ambassador Danladi immediately assuming the Diplomatic responsibilities in 2012 embarked on the Agenda of exploring avenues for forging closer military ties , especially in the areas of military training and defense technologies between Pakistan and Nigeria.

He pointed out that Ambassador Danladi’s endeavors resulted in exchange of visits by Service Chiefs and top Military Officials from Nigeria who visited Pakistan Defense related Industries such as Pakistan Ordinance Factories, Wah, Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra and National Defense University, Islamabad. Likewise, top Pakistan Air Force Chiefs have visited Nigerian Air Force Headquarters based in Abuja to further strengthen military training and transfer of defense equipment and technologies mutually beneficial to both the countries.

He said Pakistan and Nigeria must strive hard to further promote military ties for global peace and security , share knowledge and expertise in Counter-Terrorism as “Extremism has marred human values; it has injured humans; it is destroying humanity, therefore, it is a common challenge; it can only be fought when we all come together irrespective of our civilization, history, ideologies, religion and faith: That is why Pakistan and Nigeria must stand together and fight any human exploitation and extremism”.

He said Pakistan and Nigeria are currently facing threats of insecurity, insurgency and extremism for which united efforts must be made to make the trade and investment climate more beneficial for the people of Nigeria and Pakistan to serve the cause of “South-South Cooperation” in future.

Federal Republic of Nigeria has shown keen interest in Pakistani aircrafts such as Super Mushak, the upgraded JF17 Thunder jets that can compete with F-16 Fighter Jets, the Al-Khalid Tanks, APCs and other Military Hardwires. Pakistan can provide these Military hardwires to Nigeria at a very competitive prices considering that both countries are members of the D-8 Forum.

Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President (ICCI) further highlighted that top Nigerian Military and Air Force Officers are currently under training in various Pakistani Defense Institutions for the purpose of Military Capacity Building and the credit of all this goes to the personal Diplomatic efforts of Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, mni.