The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd) has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the national territorial defence against the Forces fueling insecurity in the country.

The Minister of Defence stated this when he received the Canadian high Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria on courtesy call at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja

While lauding the decades of Military bilateral Cooperations between Nigeria and Canada he said the ties progressively and sustenably culminated into the formation of the Bi- National Commission in April 2012.
General Magashi said both countries are now reaping the dividends of symbiotic diplomatic ties on Win-win basis.
He listed the areas of common concerns to end violent extremism in the country and the supports of Canada to entrenching stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria as parts of the diplomatic gains.

Moving forward the Defence Minister told the Canadian High Commissioner to assist in driving national aspirations and request for transfer of technology from Canada to boost the capabilities of the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, DICON towards looking – inward for the productions of more sophisticated Military weapons and hardwares.

The acting High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria Nicholas Simard who assumed duty six months ago described Nigeria as a strategic partner with Canada especially in thematic areas of combating insecurity, Joint Military trainings and advocacy for protection of human rights.

Nigeria established diplomatic relations with Canada two years after her independence in 1960, precisely in 1962. It is also on record that both countries enjoy common Membership of Commonwealth, Global Counter-terrorism Forum and World Trade Organisation.