Acting COAS laments poor welfare, seeks National Assembly’s support

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Monday, expressed concerns over the Nigerian Army’s recruitment of approximately 15,000 personnel annually without adequate support for providing accommodation for them.

Oluyede also highlighted the dwindling resources allocated to the Nigerian Army despite the increasing number of recruitments.

He raised these concerns during a condolence visit by the Senate Committee on Army, led by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua.

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The Army Chief feared that soldiers might not have a place to live if insecurity ended in the country.

He said, “I need to reiterate that Nigeria belongs to all of us, and without your support, it would be very difficult for us to secure Nigeria. So I want to appeal to you, the very eminent personality of Nigeria, to just please support us and make our job very easy so that we can help secure Nigeria as much as possible.

“Well, over time, we’ve had situations where the resources that are attributed to the Nigerian Army keep dwindling. So, I think this is a very good forum for me to appeal that, maybe in considering next year’s budget, a few very important issues should be noted as it affects the Nigerian Army.

“First, the Nigerian Army. For instance, in the last couple of years, we’ve been recruiting about 15,000 personnel. But I can tell you that not a single support has been given in terms of their accommodation. So, I can just imagine if, at some point, if we’re able to checkmate all the security challenges, where will those people retire to? It’s something that gives me sleepless nights.

“So, I want to appeal to the National Assembly to please consider these very critical issues, as well as other combat enablers that can help us do our job better, especially in areas of technology, so that we can help secure Nigeria.”

Earlier, the committee chairman urged the Acting COAS to continue with the legacy of the late Army Chief, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.

He said the Senate had a robust relationship with Lagbaja whom he described as a “very practical officer” and very knowledgeable of military operations.

He said Lagbaja was “very honest” and, “says it as it is.”

Yar’Adua stated that late Lt-Gen Lagbaja led the Army and improved the security of the country significantly, as he assured the Acting COAS of the same courtesy and support for him to continue the legacy.

He further urged the Army to deploy technology in the fight against terrorists.