The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Farouk Yahaya, TODAY, charged troops of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army to remain selfless and disciplined in the discharge of their duties.
He said his administration would provide troops with the needed equipment and welfare support to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Yahaya, gave the charge, during his maiden operational visit to the 2 Div Headquarters, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojoo Ibadan.
The COAS, who was on his operational visit to 2 Division Area of Responsibility, said his administration would provide troops with the requisite support including improved welfare and equipment to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
He also urged the troops to be ready to accomplish all tasks in line with the norms and core values of the Nigerian army and continuous development.
The army chief further enjoined the commanders and subordinates not to engage in any form of illegal duties.
Speaking with journalists on the purpose of his visit, Gen. Yahaya said: “I’m in 2 Division as act of the operational act. It is my maiden operational visit since I have assumed office as the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. It is usual to go round and see the troops on the ground. It is not as if we don’t know what they are doing.”
“It is an ethics to visit the ground and see and interact with the troops and see first hand of what they’re doing, and speak out to them also, and address issues that we see on the ground, that is what brought me to 2 Division Officer Commanding.
“It is all about appreciating the soldiers in what they’re doing, urging them to even do more, and also urging them to do their job professionally in tandem with our teaching and training.”
“Nigerian Army is a well trained professional Army, that has experience and we have been in existence since over 185 years, so we have zeals, we have confidence of doing our activities, and that is what we are emphasizing to our troops. Like you know that we are also making progress in synergy with other services and other sister security agencies.”
As part of his tour, the COAS also paid a courtesy visit on Governor Seyi Makinde in his office, while appreciating him for the support he has been giving to the Nigerian Army in the state and encouraged him to do more.
Responding, Governor Makinde first commiserated with the COAS on the death of the immediate past COAS and thanked the 2 Division Nigerian Army for protecting the state despite its size and peculiar challenges, especially at border areas, pleading for more cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the state government.
Makinde also congratulated the army chief on his appointment and expressed confidence in his capability to tackle current security challenges facing the nation.
He then governor promised to continue to support the 2 Division and the Nigerian army in general in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
