By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has assured that the Nigerian Army is committed to the unity of the country,
Oba Balogun said this on Tuesday, while receiving the recently appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja with some senior members of the Armed Forces to his Alarere residence in Ibadan.
The royal father lauded the Nigerian Army for their commitment to the unity of the country, not minding the antics of some forces trying to undermine the system for their selfish intentions.
Stressing that the Nigerian Army has kept its head high in spite of the myriad of challenges facing the country of recent, the Olubadan emphasized the importance of peace in any society, saying, “there is no alternative to peace as it remains the pivot upon which the pillars of progress, prosperity, growth and development rest.
“You, I mean Armed Forces hold a very crucial and strategic position in the task of taking our country out of the woods. You need all the necessary support and prayers and it is my prayers for you that the Almighty Allah will grant you all what it takes to achieve the set objective of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give us a new Nigeria which all of us will be proud of”, he said
The Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin while speaking commended the new COAS for taking his time to visit the monarch, describing the visit as the first from such a ranking military officer since the inauguration of Oba Balogun over a year ago.
Speaking further, High Chief Olakulehin stressed that the role of the military in the life of Nigeria, either while in charge as military government or under the democratic dispensation cannot be overemphasized
The Balogun of Ibadanland tasked the new Chief of Army Staff to remain focused and committed to the assigned duties towards justifying the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu.
The Chief of Army Staff while speaking expressed gratitude to the traditional institution in the country for the success of the Nigerian Army so far, saying “the Nigerian Army cannot make headway if the traditional institution doesn’t support it.
“We are aware of the challenges ahead of us and we are ready to confront them head long. We need you, our Royal fathers as the custodian of our culture and the father of all to achieve our set goals”, he said.
Major General Lagbaja added, “You have always been there for us and if I say that we need you more now, I’m not mincing words and I have the conviction that we can always count on your royal support”, he added.
He then applauded the hospitality of Ibadan people from the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the monarch and the generality of the people as experienced by him and his people since arriving the Oyo State capital for the Army Week holding at the Headquarters of the 2nd Div., Nigerian Army, Odogbo Cantonment, Ojoo, Ibadan.
