The transformation of the Department of Research and
Development into a Bureau completed the process of re-engineering this vital
arm of the Defence Headquarters in line with global best practices. Thanks to
the resilience and commitment of a visionary leader, the Chief of Defence
Staff, Gen AG Olanisakin that midwifed the process of integrating the entire
R&D efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in collaboration with
viable partners through the creation of a Bureau. The long-term vision is the
transformation of the integrated system into a Military Complex (MIC) capable
of meeting defence and security needs of the AFN and the country at large.
The motivation has been that “if it can be done anywhere in the
world, it can be done in Nigeria”. It is with this ‘we-can-do-it’ spirit that
on assumption of duty as the Director General of the Defence Research and Development
Bureau (DRDB) on 14 July 2017, that a series of activities were embarked upon to
actualise the total transformation of the Department to a Bureau of
international standard. My resolve to chart the much-needed strategic direction
for the Bureau while leveraging on the modest efforts of my predecessor led to
several in-house conferences with staff which marshalled out the vision and
mission of the Bureau.
Accordingly, the Bureau’s vision is “to be an internationally
recognised R&D centre capable of meeting Nigeria’s Defence and security
needs while leveraging on the Expertise of indigenous and international
partners. Similarly, the mission statement of the Bureau is “to Provide
strategic direction for Self-reliance in defence and security needs through
research and development”. To this end, the draft Bill for the Bureau was painstakingly
drafted for consideration by the National Assembly (NASS). Additionally, the
Bureau also reviewed its administrative structure to accommodate civilian
staff.
Within this period, the bureau in collaboration with some
partners rolled out some cutting edge technologies aimed at enhancing the
operation of the AFN as part of the effort to place the Bureau on a global
stage, a quarterly journal was also launched to showcase military efforts in
R&D and innovations amongst others.
The quarterly journal titled “Defence
Researcher” is billed to hit the news stands with its maiden publication in the
second quarter of 2018. Most assuredly, DRDB is working assiduously to lay solid
foundation for R&D in collaboration with both indigenous and foreign
partners to provide substantially the defence and security needs of the AFN.
Let me seize this opportunity to appreciate the commitment of the editorial
board and news crew towards the publication of the maiden edition of the Bureau’s
journal. Finally, to entire management team and staff of the Bureau, I enjoin you
to remain reseolute as we chart the course of excellence in DRDB.
...AVM OJ Osahor (Rtd).
COMING SOON