By ZAKAA LAZARUS-ABUJA
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has called on officers and men of the Nigerian Army (NA), sister services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies to demonstrate resolute and unwavering commitment in combating security challenges threatening the corporate existence of the nation.
The COAS gave the charge on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, while delivering a lecture titled ” Nigeria’s National Security and Defence: Nigerian Army’s Mission Statement and Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy” to students of Senior Course 47 and Junior Course 99 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna.
The Army Chief admonished the officers that relying solely on equipment will not win wars, and that they must leverage the comprehensive training content provided in the college curriculum to be prepared to perform effectively in whatever roles they are assigned upon graduation. He urged them to work assiduously towards achieving the common goal of a united, secure, and peaceful Nigeria, emphasizing that it is a collective and shared responsibility in the defence of the nation, which must be undauntedly executed.
Asserting that his command philosophy is “to consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment”, Gen Oluyede pointed out, that while his command philosophy is conceptualized to build upon the NA’s historical strengths and recent achievements in addressing the evolving challenges of today’s security landscape, it is grounded in core values of ethical conduct, accountability, and the soldiers-first principle.
He maintained that this is in alignment with the national transformation agenda of Mr. President. Gen Oluyede identified the elements of his Command Philosophy to include leadership, sound administration, professionalism and combat readiness, with the ultimate objective of maintaining the resilience and sustainability of troops’ welfare, professional growth, and combat readiness.
The COAS further averred that Nigerian Army’s administrative processes will be optimised for efficiency, transparency, and accountability, with emphasis on enhancing welfare schemes, such as housing, healthcare, and other support services, including logistics and essential welfare provisions.
He pledged to specifically continue to invest efforts in the provision of affordable housing for soldiers and their families through various welfare initiatives.
This, he noted was exemplified with the recent commissioning of 100 blocks of 4 flats of 2 Bedrooms soldiers’ quarters at Idu Area of Abuja, adding that 20 of the flats were given to wounded-in-action soldiers, while construction of 30 blocks of 4 flats of affordable houses for soldiers in the same Idu Area, Benin and Ibadan are currently ongoing.
He observed that the recently commissioned Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks in Abuja will significantly address the accommodation challenges of personnel.
The COAS reiterated that the Nigerian Army, alongside the sister services of the AFN, stand as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s unity and security against external and internal threats and urged the troops to be resolute in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and tirelessly strive for excellence in guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
In his remarks at the closing of the lecture, the Commandant AFCSC
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Alhaji assured that the participants will utilize the knowledge gleaned from the lecture in their future responsibilities and expressed appreciation to the COAS for delivering the topical lecture.
