Harps On Professionalism, Troops’ Alertness
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has toured 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) as part of his Maiden Operational Visit to formations and units under the Division since his appointment as the 22nd COAS of the NA. The COAS first port of call was Nigerian Army Cantonment Epe where he commissioned the Nigerian Army Ordnance School (NAOS) Epe.
The Commandant of NAOS Major General Adeyemi Alabi who conducted the COAS round the facilities explained that the school consists of 26 classrooms, one auditorium named after Major General OA Akintade and an Administrative Block. The COAS also performed the foundation laying of the NAOS Sports Complex.
In an interaction with the Traditional Ruler of Epe the Oloja of Epe Land Oba Kamorudeen Animashahun, the COAS advocated for mutual cooperation to combat security challenges in Epe and environs.
He disclosed that the NA will be readily available to assist and support whenever the need arises. In his response Oba Kamorudeen Animashahun commended the NA for its efforts at tackling security challenges across the country. The Traditional Ruler promised the community’s cooperation in the actualization of the COAS vision.
On Day 2of the 4 -day Operational Visit of the COAS, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division Major General Lawrence Fejokwu briefed the COAS on activities and challenges of the Division. The COAS thereafter acting on his watch words of ‘leading by example’ charged officers and men of 81 Division to always display professionalism, discipline and alertness in the discharge of their respective duties. The COAS appealed to the officers and men of the NA to work harmoniously with the security agencies to actualize his vision. In similar vein, he assured Nigerians of victory over security challenges confronting the country. He added that all hands must be on deck and together we can all fight the myriad of security challenges in the country.
Lieutenant General Yahaya later commissioned and inspected some projects at various Army formations in Lagos including Bonny Cantonment, NA Command Supply and transport Apapa, Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals, Nigerian Army Signal School among others. Presenting a brand-new Hilux to Master Warrant Officer Aniekan Udoekpo the 81 Division Regimental Sergeant Major, the COAS assured officers and men of elevation as at when due in line with best practices.
As part of the operational visit, the COAS commissioned the permanent site of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics at Ojo Cantonment. The Army Chief said with the inauguration of the College’s Permanent Site, the NA is better poised to surmount security challenges across the country. He disclosed that the current character of warfare is dynamic and the battle space is becoming increasingly unpredictable and volatile due to the fluidity of the operational environment. He further said to conduct a successful counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations which is the main security challenge in the country at the moment, a sound and well-thought-out logistics support system is required. COAS therefore urged the Commandant NACOL Major General Martin Enendu to reinvigorate efforts at training the required proficient manpower for the NA in the sphere of logistics planning and execution.
In another development, while pledging the NA continuous loyalty to the presidency and Nigerians, the COAS inaugurated the 7 newly refurbished Styr Trucks for uploading and backloading equipment casualty from the frontline to the rear line at the NA Special Retrofitting and Repair Workshop (NASRRW) Ojo Cantonment. In similar vein the COAS commissioned the 81 Division Training School at Ajilete – Owode in Ogun State which coincided with the graduation ceremony of the student of the Infantry Basic Battle Course 1 who demonstrated their combatant readiness to wage war against insurgency and terrorism as well as other security challenges.
The COAS while rounding off the operational visit at 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala in Ogun State stated that the Army will sphere no effort in dealing decisively with bandits and other criminal elements threatening the security of the country. The Army Chief said he was at Alamala to assess the operational readiness of the Brigade in tackling insecurity in the country. While interacting with officers and men of the of the Brigade the COAS stressed the need for synergy with other security agencies in the country. The Army Chief was also at the Palace of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo IV where he solicited for support and cooperation of the royal fathers towards an enduring peace and tranquility in the country.
The senior officers who accompanied the COAS for the visit included the Commander Training and Doctrine Major General Stevenson Olabanji, The Chief of Logistics Major General Omotomilola Akintade and Chief of Operations (Army) Major General Olufemi Akinjobi. Others were the Provost Marshal (Army) Major General Olumuyiwa Aiyenigba, the Chief of Military Intelligence Brigadier General Danladi Salihu, the Chief of Staff to COAS Brigadier General Aminu Umar and other staff officers to COAS.