The Nigerian Army have solicited the support and cooperation of army veterans towards overcoming the security challenges facing the country.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, made the appeal in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, at the opening session of the Army Headquarters Veterans Affairs Directorate Fourth Quarter 2021 Seminar and Workshop.
The Seminar, with the theme: “Harnessing Nigerian Army Veterans’ Influence to Enhance National Security and Cohesion,” held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, brought together veterans and serving officers of the Nigerian Army, across the country.
Addressing the veterans and other stakeholders at the 5-day event, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, who was represented by the Chief of Army Administration, Major General Usman Muhammed, said the event was necessitated by the series of security challenges confronting the nation.
Yahaya asserted that the role of army veterans at the critical period of insecurity in the country cannot be overemphasised, hence the need for dialogue with the retired officers.
He solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the general public, in order to make the country a better place for all, reiterating the commitment of the Nigerian Army to continue to accord priority to the welfare of the veterans.
Yahaya stated: “We believe that the retirees have inherent capacities, having served for this long and they have also garnered experience while they were in service and we believe they are also closer to the society and members of the populace.
“So we believe if we organise this kind of seminar we will be in a position to tap into their wealth 0f experience by learning from them and soliciting their support and also getting requisite information that we think can help us to better operate in the society and to also understand the conduct of our operations and how we can carry out our operations better,” he explained.
The COAS reiterated that Nigeria would overcome it’s current security challenges if the citizens develop a strong relationship with the military and complement their efforts in fighting terrorism.
While declaring the workshop open, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, affirmed the importance of the synergy between retired and serving officers and citizens, for the security of Nigeria, declaring the support of his government for the Nigerian Army at all times.
Makinde noted: “As a state and even as a country, we need both the retired and the serving officers to be able to work together in synergy. Not only that, we also need the citizens to be able to work with them as well, so that we can secure Nigeria. That’s why this workshop is very apt, especially at this point where there is so much insecurity happening around the country.
“So it’s a welcome development. It’s an initiative of the new Chief of Army Staff to reposition the army so that they can work collaboratively, both the retired military officers, the serving ones, as well as the public. And that’s why we are here as a state, to support in whatever way we can so that we can secure Oyo State and Nigeria at large,” the Governor asserted.
The General Officer Commanding the 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, Major General Gold Chibuisi, urged the veterans and serving officers of the army utilise their capacities to enhance optimal performance in ensuring the security of the nation, charging them to make the best out of the opportunities provided by the seminar.
The seminar remains the initiative of the Army Headquarters Veterans Affairs Directorate.
PIAK
