By Augustine Ehikioya
To ensure speedy implementation of the reform of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), the Committee saddled with the responsibility met on Wednesday with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said the Committee’s visit to Army Headquarters was towards repositioning the AFN in line with international best practice.
The statement said “The COAS, Lt. -Gen. Faruk Yahaya expressed appreciation for the visit and lauded the quality of the composition of the committee, describing it, as composed of well experienced senior officers, both serving and retired, who have contributed immensely to the AFN while in service.
“He assured the Committee of Nigerian Army’s unflinching support towards the successful implementation of the reform.
“Gen. Yahaya noted that the implementation of the reform report would aid the Services in the discharge of their duties inline with international best practices.”
The Committee, that was set up by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), was led on the visit by its Vice Chairman, Lieutenant General Abel Akale (rtd), who represented the Chairman, a former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Alwali Kazir (rtd).
According to him, the visit was to brief the Chief of Army Staff on the mandate of the Committee and to elicit “inputs from the Nigerian Army in order to facilitate the speedy implementation of the recommendations contained in the reform report.”
He pointed out that the Committee was constituted by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) to “articulate policies that will enhance both operational and administrative performance of the AFN and the Ministry of Defence.”