By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has on behalf of the Nigerian Army hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and the confidence reposed on the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and for directing that all pending Group Life Assurance payment owed to the families of departed warriors be paid without delay.
The Army Chief announced this at his maiden quarterly conference as the Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday, while declaring open the combined 2nd and 3rd Quarters of the Chief of Army Staff Conference 2023 at the Army Officers Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Chief of Army Staff’s quarterly conferences are designed to provide a veritable platform to review the conduct of the Nigerian Army’s administrative, training, logistics, and operational activities and other key issues relating to the service within a quarter.
Speaking on the Life Assurance payment for families of fallen heroes, Lt General Lagbaja said, the Federal government is paying insurance under the Group Life Assurance, it is an insurance scheme designed to give succour to families of departed warriors. And this scheme pays premium to the insurance company and in the event of death the insurance company pays claim to the families of our departed heroes.
“We have a backlog between the year 2012 and 2022 when claims were not paid and some people died in the cause of service to the nation. So the insurance companies does n’t have the liberty to pay claim for premiums not paid and that is why the Federal government took it upon itself at this stage to discharge that backlog and bring relief to the families of our departed colleagues”.
The army Chief said, in order to provide befitting living quarters for personnel, the Nigerian Army shall ensure the newly introduced ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme’ designed to provide affordable and high- quality post-service homes fo soldiers work. “We shall also ensure that our injured warriors get the best medical care and continue to support the widows and next-of-kins of our fallen heroes.”
The COAS stressed that the establishment of some Special Forces units using specially trained personnel to tackle various criminalities across the Country. The Special Forces units have continued to record impressive performances through intelligence-led operations and the use of special equipment.
“As we continue to procure and induct more sophisticated platforms and equipment into the various theatres as force multipliers, I charge field commanders to ensure the maintenance of these platforms and equipment to prolong their life span and enable the nation to optimize its investment.
He further explained that to align with the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, that the Armed Forces and other security agencies should decisively deal with all security challenges facing the Country, we must continue to conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects us as a committed force.
This He said, I conceived my Command Philosophy to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.” This Philosophy will guide and drive our actions and engagements as I lead the Nigerian Army into becoming a force ready to operate and respond to any form of threat in any domain and spectrum, within and outside the boundaries of Nigeria through joint efforts.
The opening of the 2nd and 3rd combined COAS Conference 2023, the Army Chief empowered nine Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSM) of the Nigerian Army with vehicles to enhance their functionality in the war against terrorism.
Lt General Lagbaja handed over keys and official documents of a brand new Toyota Hilux to the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).
He therefore reiterated Nigerian Army unalloyed loyalty, and pledged total commitment to the defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria