The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has assured Nigerians that the Army under his leadership is stepping up the combat-readiness of officers and men by boosting their physical endurance to effectively confront contemporary security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
Lagbaja spoke yesterday in Kaduna at the opening of Inter-Formation Combat Sports and Swimming Championship, where 560 men and women from all of Nigerian Army’s divisions across the country are participating.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander of Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said physical fitness is one of the key areas of capacity building in any army.
The Army boss said this was his reason for considering it imperative to ensure the promotion of physical fitness of Army personnel.
He said the operating environment was volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, but assured all that the Army would enhance capacity for efficient employment of all hands to achieve desired results through group training.
Lagbaja said,
“On my assumption of office as the Chief of Army Staff, I reflected on the myriads of security issues bedeviling our dear nation and the need to enhance Nigerian Army’s capacity to combat the challenges.
“As we all know, physical fitness is one of the key areas of capacity building in any Army, hence I considered it imperative to ensure the promotion of physical fitness of all Nigerian Army personnel.
“This informed the careful articulation of my Command Philosophy, which is: ‘To transform the Nigerian Army into well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.’
“I must emphasise that there is no gainsaying that the current operating environment is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. As such, we have to enhance capacity for efficient employment of all hands to achieve desired results through group training.
“We are, therefore, stepping up all aspects of our combat-readiness in line with best practices to effectively confront contemporary adversaries. To this end, enhancing the physical endurance and operational readiness of troops will be accorded due priority across board.
“In line with my Command Philosophy, I, therefore, expect that this championship involving Boxing, Wrestling and Combat Swimming will go a long way in boosting our confidence, warrior ethos and survivability techniques.
“Let me at this juncture express my appreciation to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strategic direction and unflinching support to the Nigerian Army. I also commend the Commandant NDA, Chief of Training (Army), GOC 1 Division and members of organising committee for their diligence in ensuring the successful preparation for the championship. My appreciation goes to all our invited guests for honouring our invitation,” gen. Lagbaja added.
