COAS tasks Commanders to pursue Army’s transformational drive
Nokai Origin, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has reiterated that Commanders at all levels of the Nigerian Army must vigorously pursue the Army’s transformational drive in order to effectively execute its constitutional responsibilities.
The Army Chief made the assertion at the COAS Ramadan Iftar (Breaking of Fast) 2024 an annual event, organized by the Department of Army Administration, on behalf of the office of the COAS to celebrate with Muslim faithful in the NA, as they observe the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the COAS noted that aside from providing opportunity for socializing with senior officers and senior Non Commissioned Officers, it equally afforded an insightful platform to directly listen to personnel pressing challenges and concerns.
General Lagbaja appreciated the personnel for their prayers for the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces and the nation in general. He urged them to imbibe and not forget the lessons of Ramadan.
The Army Chief pointed out that the leadership of the Nigerian Army will diligently sustain its drive of transforming the Army into a well trained, equipped and highly motivated force with the ultimate objective of eradicating contemporary security challenges bedeviling the nation, in jointness with sister services and security agencies.
He disclosed that personnel must have been witnessing infrastructural developments within their living quarters and working environment, stressing that those who are yet to benefit from the ongoing positive developments should be patient, as it would definitely get to them.
The COAS enjoined the personnel to remember in their supplications, the troops in the front lines, their families and leadership of the country and the NA, as the Ramadan draws close to its end. The COAS’ Ramadan Iftar witnessed attendance by senior officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors and other senior Non-commissioned Officers of the Nigerian Army.
Training
Troops of the Nigerian Army, who recently graduated from Exercise Restore Hope VI have been charged to ensure resounding multiplying effects in the theatres of operations across the country and to justify the resources expended on their training.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja gave the charge on Friday 5 April 2024 at the graduating ceremony of troops, who had just concluded three months rigorous training in the 6th series of Exercise Restore Hope at the Nigerian Army Training Centre Kachia, Kaduna State.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the Post Depot training Exercise aims at sharpening the tactical, shooting, physical fitness and Special Operations skills of the troops, preparatory to their deployment.
After observing the Combat demonstrations by the graduating troops, General Lagbaja expressed delight that the Nigerian Training Team has successfully taken over the responsibility of conducting Exercise Restore Hope from their foreign partners, who at the onset delivered the training package.
He expressed confidence that the competencies and skills acquired during the training have enhanced the troops’ combat readiness and would be a game changer, when they are finally deployed in the operational theatres. He said he looks forward to positive feedback from their exploits in the field.
The COAS appreciated the President, Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his relentless support to the Nigerian Army.
He equally extended his gratitude to the Honourable Minister and Minister of State for Defence ,the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs for their efforts in building the capacity of the Nigerian Army to deliver on its constitutional mandates.
The Chief of Training (Army) Major General Gambo Mohammed in a remark noted that so far, the initiative which commenced in July 2021 has successfully trained a total of 3,633 Nigerian Army personnel, including the 545 that just graduated.
After the graduation ceremony, the COAS proceeded to the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), also in Kachia, where he commissioned a newly constructed 600 seat capacity refectory for trainees of the school.
The refectory is fully equipped with a borehole, Kitchen, air-conditioning and CCTV cameras to meet international standards.
