*Assures better funding, equipment, robust welfare packages to advance efficiency of military.
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu today, declared that his administration is committed to ensuring unity of Nigeria as well as safety of lives and property.
President Tinubu said this at The Sports Arena of the 2 Div Nigerian Army Headquarters, Oojo, Ibadan, during the Grand Finale of the 2023 Nigerian Armed Forces Day Celebration (NADCEL 2023).
Represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu stressed that in ensuring this, there will be better funding, equipment and robust welfare packages to advance the professional efficiency of the military.
President Tinubu emphasized that that the “Nigerian Army has remain one of the strongest pillars of hope for the Nigerian citizenry as we forge ahead to achieve a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.
” My administration will continue to do everything within the constitution and power to ensure the safety of the law abiding citizens as well as unity of our dear country, as for the members of the Nigerian Army and the entire Armed forces I assure you of untainted commitment to your welfare”, he said.
The President added, ” I’m aware of the issue of inadequate equipment and insufficient funding among other factors constraining your efficiency, the federal government under my leadership has instituted a mechanism that will address all these shortfalls.”
Speaking further, President Tinubu charged the army personnel to adhere to international best practices in their operations as well as military- civilian relationship while tasking them on the need to be resolute as their sacrifices will not be in vein.
“My remarks will be incomplete without commending the Chief of Army staff for his proactive measure in organizing this well package NADCEL 2023, especially as he only recently assume office, this also showed his readiness in support to tackle all the security challenges, I assure you, I will continue to support all the laudable initiatives put in place in the pursuit of national defense and security of our nation.”
The President stated, “At this juncture I wish to congratulate all the serving and retired Army personnel on this auspicious celebration of the 160 years anniversary of the prestigious Nigerian Army. We appreciate the services and sacrifices of our hero past and those still alive, without whose efforts we enjoyed as a nation will have been I jeopardy.”
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja while speaking disclosed that the “Nigerian Army is indeed one of the potent tools of the nation building” and that the Nigerian Army has come a long way and it’s living up to it’s assigned constitutional roles.
” We have contribute to domestic and global through internal security as well as peace keeping operations, it’s through our concerted efforts that the activities of insurgents, terrorists, bandits and other forms of criminalities that threatens the corporate existence of this country have been greatly reduced,” he said.
Major General Lagbaja added, “The Nigerian Army is indeed one of the potent tools of the nation building, it is on this note that I proudly state that this celebration remains a very important platform for us all to remember the invaluable sacrifices that our personnel have continue to keep Nigeria a united, indivisible and prosperous nation additionally while reflecting on the past”.
The Chief of Army Staff stressed, “NADCEL present opportunities for the Nigerian Army to reflect on its future by fine-tuning and redirecting it’s efforts to remain in perfect harmony with it’s constitutional roles of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and it’s constitutions.”
“It is on this premise and in line with the current development of the Nigeria Army that the theme for this year celebration which is Sound administration as panacea for effective military operations was chosen.”
