According to the Nigerian Army, the need for wise and effective resource management has increased as a result of the Federal Government’s campaign against corruption and the country’s declining tax base.
To achieve this, it says the prudent utilisation of financial and other resources cannot be overemphasised, especially in the face of competing demands.
This is according to Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya at Nigerian Army Finance Corps Thirteenth Biennial Training Conference in Abalti Barracks Ojuelegba.
In his words, the Nigerian Army must therefore, be creative and improve problem solving skills to be able to defeat all adversaries, particularly non-state actors.
To this end, he considers the theme of this Conference which is “Delivering Professional and Innovative Financial Services in a Joint Security Environment”, as apt.
For him, without doubt, the duties and responsibilities of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps remain central to the performance and effectiveness of the Nigerian Army both in operations and peace time, saying this is great a responsibility to which the Corps must continually meet expectations at every level of the Nigerian Army.
According to Yahaya, as financial advisers and custodians of Nigerian Army financial resources, the Army finance corps are expected to provide professional and innovative financial services in line with extant regulations.
He expressed gladness that the Training Conference is taking place at a time when there is a greater demand for openness, prudence and accountability in the use of public funds.
According to him, the judicious and efficient use of resources is crucial given the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government, especially with dwindling national revenue sequel to the global economic crises.
He says the implementation of public sector financial reforms such as the cashless policy, Treasury Single Accounts and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System is a laudable step towards preventing leakages and wastages, saying it is important to imbibe and glean key lessons from the policies to improve the proficiency of personnel in financial management.
He expects that at the end of the Training Conference, certain critical capacities, skills and competencies would have been further developed with a view to enhancing optimal and efficient discharge of duties.
Yahaya acknowledged the Nigerian Army Finance Corps’ ongoing reforms towards improving accountability, transparency, quality audit and assurance services, adding that he had taken special note of the positive reforms towards the prompt payment of troops operation allowances across all the spectrum of operations and other related allowances in the Nigerian Army.
“All the innovation and reforms have added value to the Nigerian Army and contributed significantly to enhancing troops morale”
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support, encouragement to the Nigerian Army and untiring effort at ensuring the Nigerian Army is operationally robust and efficient to carry out its constitutional roles.
For the Nigerian Army to remain competitive in the twenty-first Century, Yahaya said it must continue to develop requisite skills and competencies that would make it ever ready to achieve its constitutional roles, believing that participants will derive the maximum benefits the Conference will project towards the realisations of his vision for the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the attainment of the vision is hinged on 4 cardinal pillars, namely, Professionalism, Readiness, Administration and Cooperation, saying the accomplishment of the pillars is germane to surmounting the contemporary security challenges in Nigeria and the Nigerian Army must remain steadfast and focused in tackling the challenges in collaboration with other security agencies within a joint environment.
Thus, he said the success of the Training Conference is therefore central to the achievement of the cardinal pillars of his Command philosophy, saying it is imperative to note that development and deployment of critical capacities will contribute significantly to the defence and security of the nation.
The Army Chief who spoke through the Commander Corps of Engineers, Major General Kamilu Kadiri declared the thirteenth Nigerian Army Finance Corps Biennial Training Conference for Year 2022 officially open.
In his opening remark, Army’s Chief of Account and Budget, Major General Adetokunbo Fayemiwo said the trainees were expected to professionally and administratively discharge financial services in support of all Nigerian Army’s constitutional dealings.
Source: Security and Safety matters