The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Faruk Yahaya, has commanded Nigerian Army officers and men to defend the country’s territorial integrity against every intruder at all cost. Speaking at the First Commanding Officer and Transformational Leadership Workshop organised for junior and middle cadre officers of the Nigerian Army at 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters in Kaduna, the COAS reminded the troops to justify President Muhammadu Buhari’s investment in the welfare and re-equipment of the army by delivering on their task of defending and securing Nigeria diligently.
According to the COAS, the workshop, which focuses on leadership and effective followership at the tactical level, is critical considering the challenges bedeviling “our dear nation today.” He urged the troops to participate actively in the workshop, stating that the expected outcomes would be achieved.
The COAS also assured the troops that the Army Headquarters would continue to provide the resources and guidance required for its officers and men to carry out their assigned roles. He expressed appreciation to President Buhari for his invaluable support to the Nigerian Army and the armed forces in general towards ensuring success in their various operations.
The general officer commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army headquarters Kaduna, Major General Olufemi Akinjobi, noted that the theme for the workshop, “Combat Readiness in Nigerian Army Units: The Role of the Commanding Officer,” was carefully selected to key into the vision and command philosophy of the COAS.
Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by the state’s commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan, commended the military’s efforts at keeping Kaduna State and Nigeria safe. He expressed the state government’s commitment to partner and collaborate with the military by mobilising the citizens to provide the information required for effective counter-insurgency/counter-terrorist operations.
The COAS’s charge to the troops is timely and necessary, considering the various security challenges facing Nigeria. It is imperative for the Nigerian Army to remain committed to defending the country’s territorial integrity and protecting the lives and properties of citizens. With the right leadership and resources, the Nigerian Army can effectively carry out its assigned roles and ensure the safety and security of the country.
