The Nigerian Army (NA) and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed readiness to strengthen ties on personnel training and equipment acquisition.
The resolution was reached on Wednesday, 23 August 2023, when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja received in audience, the UK Minister of State for Armed Forces and Veterans, Mr James Heappey at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the COAS stated that the collaboration would provide the opportunity for the Nigerian Army to gain the British Army’s expertise in diverse areas.
These areas according to COAS include counter-terrorism, peace support, logistics and intelligence among others.
The Army Chief also pointed out that the acquisition of quality equipment and technology through this partnership is expected to improve the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army
He appreciated the existing cordial relationship between the duo, especially in the areas of training of personnel in British institutions and their support in the fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
The Army Chief also expressed gratitude for the support of the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) and pledged that the NA would sustain the partnership, especially in the area of training, adding, that the NA would continue to partner with the British Army towards promoting Nigeria-British interests across the West African spectrum.
The UK Minister of State for Armed Forces and Veterans lauded the relationship between the Nigerian Army and the British Government.
He said such collaboration would provide valuable opportunities for the Nigerian Army to acquire new skills, knowledge and technology from its British counterpart adding that the exchange of expertise would lead to a more proficient and well-prepared force.
Rivers State
In another development, the COAS has directed commanders at all levels to redirect efforts at rejuvenation of troops fighting spirit.
He gave this directive in Port Harcourt while declaring open the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation seminar on Intensifying Warrior Ethos and Regimentation in the Nigerian Army.
According to the Army Chief, the seminar on Intensifying Warrior Ethos, Regimentation in the Nigerian Army, Management of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Drugs and Substance Abuse, was held at the Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya Indoor Badminton Court, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State.
The COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander Joint Task Force (South South) Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam stated that the Nigerian Army would continue to review it’s tactics, techniques and procedures to come up with implementable strategies to defeat all adversaries at this critical period of the Nation’s history.
He charged commanders to come up with, through innovative thinking, ways to rekindle warrior spirit, premised on his command philosophy which is “To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibility within a Joint Environment”.
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja commended the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation for the conduct of the seminar even as he expressed hope that the seminar would complement other efforts geared towards the rejuvenation of the tenets of basic soldiering with adherence to traditions, customs and ethics of the Nigerian Army.
REDIRECT ALL EFFORTS TOWARDS REJUVENATING TROOPS FIGHTING SPIRIT – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tao reed Lagbaja has directed commanders at all levels to redirect efforts at rejuvenation of troops fighting spirit. The COAS gave this directive in Port… pic.twitter.com/oavFVA95Md
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) August 23, 2023
PIAK
