Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), emphasized the crucial role of adequate appropriation by the legislature in determining the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
He made these remarks during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Army, led by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lagbaja expressed the Army’s commitment to working in close cooperation with the Senate Committee to fulfill its constitutional duty of meeting the needs of the Nigerian people.
He began by acknowledging the vital role played by the distinguished Senate Committee in ensuring the efficient functioning of the Nigerian Army.
He recognized the legislature’s critical role in the military’s effectiveness, noting that without their allocation of funds, the Army cannot perform its daily functions.
Lagbaja assured the Senate Committee that the Nigerian Army would continue to carry out field operations, address the various security challenges faced across the nation, and utilize the military instrument of national power to provide relief and interventions to the people.
Senator Yar’adua, the committee’s chairman, commended the Nigerian Army’s efforts in addressing security challenges within the country.
He explained that the purpose of their visit was to present the Senate’s legislative agenda for the Army and establish a harmonious working relationship between the Army and the committee.
Senator Yar’adua pledged to ensure that the Army receives the necessary funding for its operations and activities, as well as improved welfare for its personnel. He stated that the visit provided an opportunity to gain insight into the Army’s operational engagements and requirements.
He assured the COAS that the committee would work diligently to address the challenges highlighted during the interactive session and provide full cooperation and support to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
Senator Yar’adua underscored the importance of the Army’s efforts in safeguarding lives and fulfilling its constitutional duties as mandated by the constitution, promising to collaborate effectively to meet the Army’s needs.