Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on officers and personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA), sister services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), and other security agencies to demonstrate unwavering commitment in tackling security threats facing the nation.
General Oluyede made the call on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, while delivering a lecture titled “Nigeria’s National Security and Defence: Nigerian Army’s Mission Statement and Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy” to students of Senior Course 47 and Junior Course 99 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna.
He emphasized that relying solely on military equipment will not win wars, urging officers to leverage their training to enhance national security.
A statement by the director, army public relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this to defence correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.
The COAS stressed that securing the country is a shared responsibility and must be pursued with determination.
Highlighting his command philosophy, the COAS stated that his goal is to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-motivated and combat-ready force capable of effectively carrying out its constitutional duties in a joint and multi-agency environment.
He underscored leadership, professionalism, and combat readiness as key pillars of his strategy, which aligns with the national transformation agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
General Oluyede also reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare of soldiers, particularly in housing, healthcare, and logistics. He cited the commissioning of 100 blocks of soldiers’ quarters in Abuja and ongoing housing projects in Benin and Ibadan as part of these efforts.
Reiterating the Nigerian Army’s role as a cornerstone of national unity and security, the COAS urged troops to remain resolute in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
The Commandant of AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Alhaji, expressed appreciation to the COAS for delivering the lecture and assured that participants would apply the knowledge gained in their future assignments.
