The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the Nigerian Army will continue to engage all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that troops receive the highest benefits commensurate with the sacrifices they make daily in the defence of the country.
Lagbaja gave the assurance at the week-long, Combat Arms Training (CAT) Week 2024, held at the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji Military Cantonment, yesterday, in Jaji Kaduna State.
He said: “This event, being my maiden CAT Week at the helm of affairs of the Nigerian Army, presents me the opportunity to restate my desire to improve the capabilities of the combat arms towards achieving the constitutional imperatives of the NA.”
Labgaja said the week also presented a unique opportunity for interaction between the combat arms, other arms and services towards promoting efficiency during operations. The COAS encouraged all the officers and men in the front lines in the various theatres as well as those serving in other capacities to continue to give their best to ensure the nation is rid of all forms of insecurity.
“Accordingly, all Nigerian Army personnel must remain professional, law-abiding and loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as they discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” Lagbaja charged.
The COAS said the event also provided Commanders and Staff Officers the opportunity to chart ways towards sound planning for operations as well as effective leadership and command in combat. He said, “It further enables brainstorming among commanders and staff of the combat arms to evolve practicable solutions to addressing operational, administrative, and logistics concerns affecting operational efficiency in ongoing and future dynamic contemporary operations.”
Lagbaja said the theme for this year’s CAT Week, “Sound Administration: A Panacea for Improved Combat Arms’ Efficiency in a Joint Environment”, was very apt and relevant as it resonated with a pivotal pillar of his command’s philosophy. He said sound administration has been established to be among several key indices that enhanced the operational efficiency of all strong military forces over history.
Lagbaja said: “I am committed to ensuring that the highest standards of administrative measures are emplaced, to enhance the welfare of the Nigerian Army personnel and their families, so as to enhance operational efficiency. Since assuming command as the Chief of Army Staff, I have sustained all administrative endeavours initiated by my predecessors.
“Likewise, I have also initiated some intervention programmes, specifically in the areas of accommodation, loans and family support to enhance troops’ morale. Some of such efforts are the COAS Empowerment Loan Scheme and the Affordable Housing Ownership Option for All Soldiers.”
He said these programmes were among several administrative efforts that would, hopefully, be actualised under his leadership, in line with his vision for a more efficient Nigerian Army. Lagbaja said combat arms remained at the core of all the operational activities in the conduct of operations across all theatres of operation.
He added, “I am also not oblivious of the challenges of inadequate spares and assemblies, poor accommodation and other administrative issues that have negatively impacted the functionality of these arms. Thus, much of my focus will be directed towards addressing these challenges to achieve operational efficiency.”
The COAS further said attention would also be directed towards enhancing the capabilities of the combat arms through training, equipment and sound administration. He further challenged the combat arms to leverage the skills and competencies inherent in the Combat Support and Combat Service Support Corps for enhancing doctrine and capabilities needed to defeat contemporary threats.