The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, on Wednesday in Ibadan promised to address the challenges facing officers and soldiers at the Headquarters 2 Division of Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja promised this while inaugurating the Headquarters Central Ordnance Depot, Motor Transport and Technical at the 2 Mechanised Division Headquarters Nigerian Army.
The Army chief expressed his appreciation and commended the officers and soldiers at the division for their service to the nation and for upholding peace and stability in the South-West.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) has duly notified me of some of your challenges, which include accommodation, shortage of personal protective gear and support weapons, among others,” he said.
Lagbaja promised that the challenges would be addressed in spite of limited resources, adding that the Federal Government has taken steps to clear the backlog of the Group Life Assurance claims.
“The issue of Group Life Assurance is receiving attention from Mr President, to clear the backlog for our departed colleagues and have the families they left behind paid what is their entitlement in terms of insurance claims.
“For other entitlements, the government is doing a similar thing and the Army is being transformed not only in terms of accommodation but also in terms of our Force structure.
”That is why the Nigerian Army Aviation would soon be operationalised with the arrival of our MP53KUS Helicopter.
”These and many more are the interventions the Nigerian Army is receiving from the government,” he said.
The Army chief further charged officers and soldiers of the division to remain dedicated and loyal to their duties to reciprocate the gesture from the government.
Lagbaja stated further that he had flagged off the end-of-the-year exercises tagged “Still Water 3”, “Enduring Peace 3” and “Golden Dawn” which would run from October to Jan. 5.
He urged them to act in accordance with the rules of engagement and code of conduct as they would be deployed to conduct real-time operations.
“The operations include neutralising bandit camps, bursting drug cartels and working with other security agencies to ensure peace and stability in their areas of responsibility.”
Lagbaja said he had been going around formations and units of the Nigerian Army to ascertain the state of infrastructure and equipment as well as build bonds with the soldiers.
The Chief of Army Staff said this was necessary to forge a way forward by taking appropriate actions towards addressing the challenges.
He said his command philosophy to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving its constitutional roles rested on three pillars.
Lagbaja listed these as leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration.
“What I want you to do is to continue to remain loyal and dedicated to your constitutional responsibilities. Our job as military men is to continue to be loyal to the Constitution and the government of the day,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlights of the Chief of Army Staff’s visit included the planting of a tree and a visit to the Division Training School.
This was in the company of top military officers and the GOC 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi.
