By Rasheedah Makinde

Good leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration in the Nigerian Army would go a long way in tackling insecurity in the country.

 The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja stated this during a familiarization tour to 2 Division Nigerian Army Ibadan. 

 Lieutenant General Lagbaja gave assurance that under his leadership, the Nigerian Army would be repositioned to effectively turn the nation into a safer place. 

He said the visit to the 2 Division became imperative to physically assess the officers as well as have a one-on-one interactive with them on different challenges affecting their performances. 

 The Army boss said he was optimistic that the visit would motivate and drive the officers to continue to give their best to the nation. 

 He, therefore, called on the soldiers to gear up be more dedicated and always be ready to provide quality services to Nigerians. 

“The GOC and I have discussed about challenges you are experiencing in terms of accommodation, shortage of personnel, protection gears, uniforms, support weapons and the like. I have taken notes of all the challenges and we will address them “

 “The government is doing a lot to address the challenges that confront us as the Nigerian Army. The issue of the group live assurance that has been long drawn is receiving due attention of Mr President as he had given the approval to clear the backlog” 

“For our departed colleagues, to have their family left behind paid what is their entitlement in terms of group live assurance” 

 For all other entitlements, the government was doing similar things and the Army was being transformed not only in terms of accommodation but also in terms of force structure “

The Chief of Army Staff hinted that the Nigerian Army aviation would soon be operationalized with the arrival of an MP53K helicopter to increase the performance of the troops in the theatre war.

 Lieutenant Lagbaja said as part of his efforts to reform the Nigerian Army, he had recently flagged off an end-of-the-year exercise which included still water, enduring peace and a golden door to run from now to January 5 2024. 

 He said the purpose of the exercises was to ensure and conduct real-time operation in collaboration with sister agencies in order to neutralize bandits camps, and bursting a drug cartel in a bid to ensure that peace and stability were maintained nationwide. 

 The Chief of Army Staff noted that some personnel would soon be deployed for the exercises and enjoined them to act in line with the rules of engagement and code of conduct of the Nigerian Army.

 Highlights of the visit included the inauguration of central ordinance deport motor transport and technical building, tree planting and inspection of the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo and Letmack Barracks Mokola Ibadan.

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