There is a need for the Nigerian Army to continue to be adaptive, ingenious, innovative, and ready to take up more non-traditional military responsibilities for national survival.
The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed stated this at the opening of the First Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference held at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess, in Abuja Nigeria.
General Lagbaja who described the current security environment as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous urged commanders to create more awareness across the force in this regard.
“This First Quarter Conference will thus allow us to assess our readiness and formulate strategies to enhance our collective performance in fulfilling our constitutional obligations as the year progresses”
“A platform where the leadership of the Nigerian Army comes together to review our past achievements, assess current challenges, and plan for the future, all within the broader context of national security” stated COAS.
The Army Chief, while referring to the incident involving the loss of troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion in the Okuama Community on 14 March 2024, said the incident is quite unfortunate, encouraging the personnel to not allow their morale dwindle but to remain steadfast and unwavering as military men.
He therefore charged field commanders and troops across various theatres of operations, to remain committed to bringing the nation’s adversaries to their knees and restoring sanity in troubled areas.
“We must continue to strengthen our operational capabilities, enhance intelligence gathering, foster inter-agency cooperation and prioritise the welfare of our personnel. Our commitment to professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights must remain firm and obvious to all” stated General Lagbaja.
The Chief of Army Staff announced the implementation of new initiatives to gear towards improving troops’ welfare. These new initiatives include Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS), to alleviate the hardship faced by soldiers in securing personal accommodation for post-service life.
In a show of concern for soldiers with operational-related disabilities, the COAS said he has directed the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) to set aside 5 percent of the AHOOAS Scheme in each estate for allocation to soldiers.
The Chief also announced that the Nigerian Army will cover all the housing expenses at 100 percent for the soldiers as well as reinvigorate its complimentary welfare flights for North-East troops to facilitate seamless travels during leaves and passes.
“Furthermore, premiums paid to beneficiaries of our various insurance schemes to cater to troops’ dependents in any eventuality have been doubled without any corresponding increase in contributions”
To improve on personnel training activities, the Chief of Army Staff said Training exercises like SHINING STAR V, FAST BOLT II, and RESTORE HOPE VI, were among the Special Initiative implemented in the first quarter of the year to address prevailing security challenges that were successfully executed.
In an address of Welcome, the Chief of Policy and Plans Army, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim said the Army’s efforts have remained focused on establishing the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff for desired operational successes.
He encouraged officers not to be demoralised by attacks on officers in Okuama, but to redouble efforts towards the protection of citizens and the nation’s territorial integrity.
Dominica Nwabufo
