By Augustine Ehikioya
The Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, today warned officers and men of the Nigerian Army that he will not accept failure in the fight against terrorists and other crimes in the country.
To this end, he urged them to sustain and maintain the tempo against the various security challenges in the country.
He spoke in Abuja while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff Combined Second and Third Quarters Conference 2021 held at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess.
The Army Chief said: “I want to state that, the Nigerian Army under my watch will remain resolute and continue to chart progressive paths towards tackling the security challenges confronting the Country.
“Hence; I have directed that serious attention be given to sustaining and improving the tempo in all ongoing Nigerian Army operations across the Country. I have also directed for the conduct of special operations especially in the North Central and North West Regions to address the deteriorating security infractions in the Regions.
“Commanders must therefore glean from my Command Philosophy to ensure that operational and administrative proficiencies of Nigerian Army units and formations are sustained and improved upon.
“Commanders must seize initiative and commanders must take initiative, they must take decisive actions to defeat the threats in their respective Area Of Responsibilities (AORs). I will not again take or accept no excuses. Gentlemen, failure is failure irrespective of the circumstances!!” he stated.
The conference, he noted, offers an ample opportunity for the Nigerian Army to brainstorm and interact on the state of affairs and review activities for Second and Third Quarters 2021, which are crucial to the stability of Nigeria.
“This is with a view to coming up with new strategies for winning the war against terror and other violent crimes being perpetrated across the Country,” he added.
To enhance operations across the country, he said that efforts are in progress to provide combat enablers, while concerted efforts are being made to eliminate the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which has been a major impediment to troops and operations is Operation HADIN KAI.
He said “I want to assure you that I am determined to rebuild the fighting skill, confidence, and morale of our troops across the various theatres of operations. Training must be given due attention that it deserves. In order to achieve this, priorities for the fourth quarter of the year would include training and more training.”
The Army Chief pointed out that he took over command of the Nigerian Army at a very critical period when the nation was facing daunting security challenges, which was characterised of a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment.
President Muhammadu Buhari, he said rightly highlighted it during his first meeting with him.
“During the meeting, the President reiterated his orders for the Armed Forces to decisively deal with all security challenges facing the Country. Thus, as an Army we must strive to ensure we conduct ourselves professionally and respond adequately to threats against our nation in accordance with the Constitution.
“In line with the President’s directive and my intent to rebuild the Nigerian Army into a formidable force, I conceived the vision of having “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”. “Accordingly, it is my Readiness, Administration and Cooperation as the cardinal pillars.”
According to him, his vision would drive his command philosophy, which include Professionalism.
“Professionalism is all encompassing, and it entails returning to the tenets of basic soldiering, adhering strictly to the customs, traditions and ethics of our Army as well as upholding regimentation and emplacing transparent sanctions and rewards system.
“It also involves the need for discipline and good leadership in all our operations. Discipline entails doing the right thing at the right time and place with or without supervision or prompting in tandem with our ethics, customs and traditions including our dress, salutation and haircut among others. Readiness on its own entails improved training, optimal resourcing, innovation and being proactive.
He promised that his tenure will ensure that adequate platforms and equipment are procured both locally and from overseas to engender effective performance of the Army’s roles and improve maintenance systems to ensure operational successes and longevity of equipment systems.
To engender the right attitude and frame of mind that are essential for operational effectiveness, he said he will ensure good administration of troops towards improving morale.
“We will prioritize welfare of personnel, promote merit, celebrate gallantry, honour our heroes, and support our families. Cooperation entails ensuring synergy at levels and cordial working relationship with our sister Services, Ministries, Departments and Agencies to achieve our common tasks in defence of Nigeria,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to all the officers and soldiers for their unrelenting sacrifice and efforts in ensuring that the Nigerian Army fulfills its constitutional responsibilities.
“I will continue to demand that you redouble your efforts so that we can decisively deal with our adversaries or any group or person that threaten the peace and stability of our great Nation.”
The Army Chief also expressed the gratitude of the Nigerian Army to the President, Muhammadu Buhari, for his strategic guidance and unrelenting support to the Nigerian Army.
“On behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I once more pledge our total commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he pledged.
Delivering the welcome address earlier, the Chief of Policy and Planning (Army), Major General Anthony Omozoje, noted that the conference was the first under the current COAS and provides such opportunity for interaction.
According to him, the present challenges facing the nation require the conference in order to succeed.
Outcome of the conference, he said, will serve as blueprint to tackling the security challenges in the country.