Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that politics involved in arms purchase has made it necessary for the country to manufacture its own arms.
Osinbajo, while speaking at the 45th Convocation of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Saturday, also called for smarter means in policing the country through the use of smart drones and surveillance equipment, in the face of rising terrorism and access to illegal weaponry by non-state actors.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Osinbajo, who also represented the visitor to the university, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said already, some Nigeria companies were already manufacturing Armoured Personnel Carriers and exporting to other countries in Africa.
Osinbajo, who acknowledged huge challenges confronting the country, said the means to resolve them and elements to use were available and made reference to efforts of young Nigerians that were rising to the occasion.
He said, “The insecurity problem that we are experiencing, the rise of terrorism in some parts of the country, the access to illegal weaponry by non-state actors tells us that we must be smarter in policing the country, using smart drones and surveillance equipment.
“The politicisation of our means of purchase of weapons tells us that we must manufacture our own arms. Already, some Nigerian companies led by Profex, a Nigerian company is already manufacturing APC’s and exporting them to several African countries.”
Delivering a convocation lecture titled, ‘When is a nation: Exploring the socio-political crises in post-independence Nigeria’ Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, declared that the arrogant posturing that the unity of the country was not negotiable must be jettisoned for a more humble and intelligent response to natural agitations against discontent.