News
Military Seeks Integration With Civil Society
The Nigerian military authorities declared on Thursday that the armed forces were striving toward total integration with the civil society.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) I Division, Maj.-Gen. Kamourdeen Role, said this while declaring open the Second Quarter 2010 Study Period at the headquarters of the division in Kaduna.
“We so much desire an excellent relationship with the civil society. It is my belief that so far, we are making steady progress.
“Winning the hearts and minds of the majority of the Nigerian citizens for an excellent relationship with the military is not to be over assumed.
“It is a venture that requires hard work, honesty and resilience to build.
The attitude of officers and soldiers while carrying out the Nigerian Army’s constitutionl roles go a long way in shaping the overall corporate image of the Army.
“In the same vein, our ability to be professionally and socially responsible in carrying out our duties to the nation in line with the corporate responsibility principle will often determine our reputation locally and internationally,’’ he said.
He solicited for understanding, support and cooperation from other stakeholders.
The GOC described the Army’s effort in establishing a School for Public Relations and Information Management as a demonstration of its seriousness towards a mutually beneficial civil-military relationship.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, explained that the course was designed to improve on the resolve of the Army to maintain a cordial relationship with the civil society.
Olukolade said that the Army’s Management School was established last year at Bonny Camp, Lagos, to train military personnel, media practitioners and other stakeholders to achieve the set goal.
According to him, the Army has resolved to ensure a sustained “excellent civil-military relations’’ and pledged the authority’s readiness to continue to implement ideas generated from similar interactions constitutionally.
The Tide On Sunday source reports that 250 participants drawn from the military and civil society are attending the three-day conference.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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