I’m committed to operational effectiveness – COAS

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has reiterated his efforts to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the Nigerian Army through effective motivation of troops. 

The Chief of Army Staff stated this in Ibadan while declaring open this year’s second Regimental Sergeant Majors Convention, RSM, with the theme “Leveraging sound administration for a highly motivated force and operation efficiency in the Nigerian Army”. 

The army boss who spoke through the commander Infantry corps, Major General Olufemi Oluyede said the importance of sound administration in raising the morale of troops in the field would go a long way toward achieving a calm, safe and sound environment. “With this in mind. I urge you to leverage extant Nigerian Army administrative policy instruments to further improve unit administration in your respective domains.”

He said the convention, besides enhancing their capacity to adequately execute assigned roles, would also create a conducive atmosphere to secure valuable inputs from RSMs on other appropriate measures the Nigerian Army could adopt to cope with novel administrative challenges. 

“I am well aware that some Nigerian Army policy documents, including NA Administrative Policies and Procedures and Nigerian Army Dress Regulations, were recently reviewed in tandem with emerging realities.”

He said it was pertinent to state that RSMs have a critical role to play in ensuring that the least soldier of the Nigerian Army understands and appreciates the contents of these policy documents. 

“It is heart-warming to note that the first RSMs convention for this year dwelt on an emerging trend that could impact negatively on my Command Philosophy, which is the appropriate use of social media by Nigerian Army personnel.”

“RSMs as the embodiment of discipline and regimentation in the Nigerian Army, have a key role to play in upholding the professional status of the Nigerian Army in the face of pervasive effects of social media engagements by soldiers.”

He noted that as human resources are essential to the success of organizations, sound administration was made a critical component of the Command’s Philosophy. 

“There is no gainsaying that the Nigerian Army has undergone series of transformational strides in recent years and it has led to a great expansion in almost all spheres in the Nigerian Army ranging from welfare schemes, training, courses, increased manpower and infrastructural development.”

“In the light of these, it is my drive to leverage sound administration to harness resources and opportunities within the Nigerian Army environment to motivate troops and improve operational efficiency in the Nigerian Army.” 

The Chief of Army Staff, therefore urged the participants to support the vision by maintaining discipline and ensuring that the cherished Traditions, Customs and Ethics of the Nigerian Army were 

continuously upheld.

It therefore, requires that you all be up to date with respect to these responsibilities to cultivate grow and nurture professional and appropriate behaviours amongst personnel thereby contributing to the overall efficiency of the Nigerian Army.

“Let me at this juncture, sincerely thank the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Army and also to the Oyo State Government for the cordial relationship and support to the Nigerian Army formations and units across the state.”  

On his part, the chief of administration, Army, Major General Jimmy Akpor said the convention would keep the RSMs abreast with the latest administrative innovations of the Nigerian Army which was designed to improve troops’ morale and defeat malfeasance among personnel.

He, therefore, enjoined the participants to feel free to express their views and have a cross-fertilization of ideas.

The event which featured an award ceremony was graced by representatives from all other security agencies in Oyo State.

The 2023 Regimental Sergeant Majors convention which started on Sunday is expected to end on Saturday, 18TH November 2023.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group