By Augustine Ehikioya
To give helping hand to the Government and ensure food security in the country, the Nigerian Army has decided to review its agricultural policy to strengthen the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited.
Through this, it intends to release grains into the market at highly subsidized rate in support of government efforts.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed this on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the COAS Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2024 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It was covered by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
Reviewing the situations that led to the 10 days nationwide hunger protests, the Army Chief, reminded the gathering that as an Armed Force, the Nigerian Army must not only focus on physical security and defense of the nation but that food and social security issues can also snowball into physical security challenges.
He commended Commanders and Troops for conducting themselves professionally during the period.
He also expressed sadness over the loss of lives, destruction of public facilities, and looting witnessed in some states during the protest.
The COAS said “It is obvious that some of the protest organizers hold contrary opinions from the government on how the security forces, managed the situation. However, I believe it was carefully handled, and I commend our Commanders and Troops for conducting themselves in the most professional manner as they worked with the Nigeria Police and civil authorities to effectively control the situation.
“Nonetheless, I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the destruction of public facilities, as well as looting as witnessed in some states. As investigations are instituted into the actions of both the protesters and security forces, I join other well-meaning Nigerians in condoling the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives during the protests.
“As a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, the Nigerian Army recognizes citizens’ right to air their grievances but believes such should only occur within the confines of the law.”
On food security, he said “Evidently, the situation that led to the protest seems to have settled, but the Nigerian Army understands that the issue of food security will remain on the front burner of our national security policy and discussions for a while.
“As a way of strengthening its soft power approach to resolving Nigeria’s food security challenge, the Nigerian Army will, in the coming days, review its agricultural policy to better position the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited to significantly boost crop production so that the Army can release grains into the market at highly subsidized rate in support of government efforts.”
He disclosed that the Army Headquarters is also reviewing some proposals for partnerships with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government and reputable private organizations on how best to collaborate to resolve the food crisis in the country.
To boost agricultural yield, the Army Chief also pointed out that the Nigerian Army troops are currently providing security cover for farmers in critical farming communities in the North East, North West, and North Central zones of the country.
“This is with a view to preventing the devastating consequences of a pause or stop in food production in those regions on the entire country’s food supply chain.” he added.
Speaking on the call during the protest for undemocratic change of government, he said that the Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail some interests to power.
“As the Service that received the most image bashing as a fallout of previous military interventions in Nigeria, the Nigerian Army is not poised to losing the new prestige it has painstakingly built in the past 25 years.” he said.
According to him, the above-highlighted developments in Nigeria’s security environment and other lingering security challenges facing Nigeria are the reason why the Conference is holding to brainstorm and review the Nigerian Army strategy.
He noted that the Nigerian Army operations in the various theatres have continued to degrade the country’s adversaries with telling consequences on the terrorists and other criminal groups.
“We have not spared any effort to take the fight to their enclaves wherever they exist. For instance, being conscious of the critical nature of our oil and gas sector to the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies operating under the auspices of the Joint Task Force (South South) Operation DELTA SAFE have redoubled their efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude production.
“Our concerted operational activities have helped to reduce militancy, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta region. Regrettably, in the course of our operations across the Country, we have lost several of our colleagues, with many others wounded.
“I would like to pay a special tribute to these brave officers and soldiers for their immense sacrifice in ensuring that Nigeria remains safe, secure, and united. The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining the ongoing efforts to ensure maximum revenue accrues to the Federal Government for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians.” he stated.
Stressing that troops’ welfare has remained a cardinal point in his Command Philosophy, he said that the Nigerian Army under him have continued to fine-tune welfare schemes to benefit personnel and their families.
“For instance, the Chief of Army Staff Personnel Empowerment Loan Scheme, launched during the First Quarter Conference in April, is already a huge success as over 1,700 beneficiaries have been serviced with a waiting list of about 3,000 personnel.
“The objective of these loan schemes is to shield personnel from the high interest rates charged by banks and other financial institutions. Relatedly, the Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) has of date completed 200 of the 400 units of houses in Idu-Abuja under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) scheme.”
“Our commitment to supporting the widows and family members of our fallen heroes remains on course. Thus, we shall witness the presentation of Group Life Assurance Cheques to beneficiaries during this Conference.
“These and other welfare initiatives underscore our unwavering commitment to prioritizing the well-being of our troops and supporting the home front through life-impacting schemes.”
The Army Chief thanked President Bola Tinubu, for his unflinching support and strategic guidance to the Nigerian Army.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Eno of Akwa Ibom State, especially for approving lands for the AHOOAS scheme in Uyo.
“Undoubtedly, this gesture will significantly boost the morale and fighting spirit of our troops from the South South zone, particularly those from Akwa Ibom State, as they can be assured of having a decent, modern, well- constructed, and affordable home to retire into at the end of their service to fatherland,”
He thanked the Sister Services and other security agencies, and Nigerians for their support.
