Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has urged Nigerian Army leaders at all levels to set a good example and give their soldiers’ training and well-being top priority. He made this assertion at the beginning of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, which took place at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja, on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The COAS stressed the importance of decisive leadership, resilience, and empathy in directing the troops to accomplish operational goals in a statement issued by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations. He called on commanders to continue inspiring staff to successfully address the nation’s complex security issues.
Lieutenant General Oluyede, who reflected on the accomplishments of the year, characterized 2024 as an operationally significant year for the Nigerian Army, emphasizing the heightened efforts to combat criminal activities such as banditry and terrorism. In order to maintain peace and security across the country, he emphasized the significance of increasing both kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
The COAS acknowledged that the Army’s operational capabilities have been greatly improved by the federal government’s steadfast support, especially in re-equipment and combat enabler refurbishment. He reiterated his leadership philosophies and presented his vision for a combat-ready and highly motivated force, stressing the value of training and a “Soldier-First Culture” that puts the wellbeing of the troops first.
In light of the fact that their sacrifices are essential to the Army’s mission, he declared that the families of dead heroes and those hurt in the line of duty would continue to receive support. He emphasized that in order to preserve morale and operational efficacy, troop well-being must be addressed.
The COAS gave 12 Hilux cars to Army Warrant Officers and Group Life Insurance Cheques to the surviving family members of fallen soldiers as part of the welfare efforts. The freshly manufactured Vanquisher Light Armoured Vehicle, which demonstrated developments in domestic defense technology, was also unveiled during the conference.
Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), paid tribute to the late COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s dedication to greatness in his remarks. He emphasized how crucial the conference is for assessing operations and pinpointing areas in need of development.
The COAS affirmed the Army’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and the government and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic direction and assistance. He also thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, and the National Assembly for their joint efforts to further the Army’s objectives.
Lieutenant General Oluyede reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian Army continues to respect its constitutional obligations and operational excellence as he urged members to build on their successes as the Army gets ready for 2025.
