NDC 2019 Regional Study Tour: A Huge Success
The National Defence College embarked on Strategic Regional Study Tour for 2019. The Regional Study Tour for participants of National Defence College Course 27 was designed for the participants to visit some selected West African countries from 24 February to 2 March, 2019. A total of 5 countries were visited by the 5 teams, each team visited a country within the period of the Tour. The countries visited are Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo Brazzaville, Sao Tome & Principe and Cabo Verde.
Academic themes were assigned to each team which was crafted to derive strategic geo-political lessons to better understand the dynamics of the ECOWAS environment. These themes are; Democratic Governance and National Development: Lesson for Nigeria, The Oil Industry and National Development in the Republic of Congo: Lesson for Nigeria, Tourism and National Development in Cabo Verde: Lesson for Nigeria, Hydrocarbon Exploration and National Development in Sao Tome & Principe: Lesson for Nigeria and Agriculture and National Development in Sierra Leone: Lesson for Nigeria.
The Commandant National Defence College, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, who visited Cabo Verde said the Regional Study Tour for participants of National Defence College Course 27 was part of the College’s academic schedule which was painstakingly planned and executed to achieve the objectives of the College. He reiterated that, governments, the world over strive to provide enabling environment to ensure the well being of the citizens. He added that this is achieved mostly through security of lives and properties. Relatively, he advised participants of National Defence College Course 27 to seize the opportunity of the Tour to relax psychologically and mentally to further reduce the stress associated with the entanglements of the Course.
In another development, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the National Defence College, Major General Peter Dauke who visited Sierra Leone in the course of the Tour said the Tour was to afford participants the opportunity to understand the bilateral and geo-political relationships between Sierra Leone and Nigeria. He said the visit will equally give participants the opportunity to understand the dynamics of international politics and its impact on Sierra Leone. The Deputy Commandant made these remarks during the visit to the Sierra Leone, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Alie Kabba at his Tower Hill Office in Freetown. Major General Dauke seized the opportunity to give the synopsis of the National Defence College Nigeria to the Honourable Minister.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation welcomed participants with the depth of historical ties between Nigeria and Sierra Leone which he said was a special relationship that the people and government appreciated and prioritized. He added that Sierra Leone has perceived Nigeria as a reliable, steady and trusted partner since Sierra Leone’s independence. He reiterated that Nigeria and Sierra Leone are active members of the International System and that they have been able to advance their common interests not only within West Africa, ECOWAS, AU, but internationally.
