Nigeria will soon get drones and helicopters from Turkey to combat the lack of confidence in the country.
Turkey’s ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, did this at the commemoration of the 99th National Day of the Republic of Turkey in Abuja on Friday.
He said drones and helicopters from Turkey will soon arrive in Nigeria as part of efforts for the country’s security architecture, as provided for in the defense cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in 2021.
He noted that Turkey is in a position to supply all kinds of products to Nigeria in its efforts to counter its security threats by sharing its experience, technical expertise and technology.
He said; “The defense contracts signed between our countries last year set an all-time record. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I am proud to announce that two of our flagship defense platforms, Bayraktar (TB-2) drones and ATAK (T-149) helicopters, are about to arrive in Nigeria.
“We are confident that the new Turkish defense products will support the efforts of the Nigerian government and contribute greatly to the peace, prosperity and security of our fellow Nigerians,” Bayraktar said.
Bayraktar also called on the Nigerian government to address its valid security considerations by taking measures that oppose the heavy presence of the heinous Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Nigeria.
“Being the only impediment preventing our bilateral relations from developing further, we call on Nigeria not to allow terrorist teams to undermine our ties by allowing this terrorist organization to fund its illegal goals and activities, generating profits in this country.
The envoy said he was extremely happy that bilateral relations between the two countries in 2021 and 2022 were an era of wonderful achievements.
He added that the year 2022, which marked the 60th anniversary of the status quo of diplomatic relations with Nigeria, had indeed gained a lot of momentum recently, with high-level reciprocal visits by President Erdogan in October 2021 and President Buhari in December 2021.
He expressed optimism that with the current speed of development of industrial relations, the two countries will soon achieve the goal of $5 billion in bilateral industry volume.
“These high-level mutual visits were an opportunity to underscore our not unusual purpose to strengthen our bilateral relations in all fields, adding trade, defense industry, energy, construction, manufacturing, health, education, tourism and culture.
“With its stable expansion over the past decade and emerging as an economic force in its region, Turkey has expressed its willingness to share its progress with African states, expand and cooperate in other fields.
“Today, Turkish entrepreneurs, some of whom are here tonight, are investing in many sectors, from FMCG to construction, from healthcare to transportation, from energy to agriculture.
“With the current speed of higher industrial relations, I am confident that we will soon achieve our target of $5 billion in bilateral industry volume with Nigeria, which remains one of our largest trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa,” Bayraktar said. .
Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zubairu Dada said Nigeria and Turkey have noticed a construction in industry and bilateral trade since the exchange of high-level visits between the two presidents in 2021.
Dada also said that Nigerians want to do business with their Turkish counterparts, which is reflected in the Turkey-Nigeria Business Congress held in September 2021 in Istanbul.
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