Elumelu seeks action on military industrial complex

The Chairman of Heir Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has called on the Federal Government to revamp Nigeria’s Arm Forces industrial complex.

He said such move would position the country as a regional and global power.

He made this known yesterday in a lecture titled; ‘Strategic Leadership: My Business Experience’ National Defence Abuja.

Elumelu delivered the lecture to the Course 26 participants of the college, while emphasizing the need of partnership between the military and the private sector.

“We still depend on imports for most of our needs. In comparison with countries like India, Pakistan and Brazil at the College, which share the same colonial history with Nigeria, they are now nuclear powers while we still depend on imports of our military arsenals.

“The point is that Nigeria cannot develop except we start to promote made-in-Nigeria goods and cut our high import rate. Nigeria needs a strong modern technology in its military to be able to play its leadership role in Africa.

“The private sector is also going to drive a major part of this. Therefore, the military, the Federal Government and the private sector must support research and investments in this regard,” he said.

NDC Commandant, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo commended the role of Elumelu in harnessing potentials and resources for economic development.