WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF LT GEN TY BURATAI AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE COMBINED NIGERIAN ARMY DAY CELEBRATION AND COMBAT SUPPORT ARMS TRAINING WEEK HOLDING AT THE HEADQUARTERS NIGERIAN ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS AUDITORIUM, ABALTI BARRACKS LAGOS ON 1 JULY 2019
I am happy to be with you this morning for the opening ceremony of the combined Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) and Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) Week 2019.
This year’s event is unique because it is the first time that these major events will be conducted jointly.
Hosting this special event in Lagos is also instructive considering the fact that last year’s COSAT was held in Maiduguri.
It shows that the Nigerian Army indeed covers the length and breadth of the nation in ensuring that all Nigerians are safe and feel a sense of belonging with their army.
This year, the NA celebrates its 156th year of existence since its establishment as the Glover’s Hausas in 1863.
The choice of 6 July as NA Day is due to the historical fact that the first shot during the Nigerian Civil War was fired on that day at Garkem back in 1967.
The 30-months civil war was fought to keep Nigeria one with a lot of soldiers paying the supreme price in the process.
Thus, NADCEL is a constant reminder of the sacrifice made by troops most of whom laid down their lives to ensure we remained united as a nation.
Though times have changed and the challenges have morphed, yet the resolve of NA troops and its conquering spirit has waxed stronger and more triumphant. This is what we are celebrating today.
This year’s NADCEL is being conducted at a time when our soldiers are still fighting various evils bedevilling the nation on various fronts.
A good number of our colleagues have over the years made the ultimate sacrifice in the process of keeping Nigerians safe. Many Nigerians have lost a sibling, relative or friend as our troops battled the enemy at the gate of our beloved nation.
We honour these heroes and hold them in high esteem. They are the reason why we are alive and marching on to victory with teary eyes but with courageous hearts.
I am pleased to state that the NA has made giant strides in curbing various security threats since the dawn of the current administration.
We have not only consolidated on the gains established in the fight against insurgency in the NE but have progressed to the stabilization phase where all efforts are geared towards ensuring displaced persons return to their traditional homes.
This year’s NADCEL is unique as you will see the varied sides of the NA. Various activities have been packaged along these lines which you will witness in the course of the week.
Since my appointment as the 20th COAS in Jul 15, I have pursued a transformational vision which is to have a professionally responsive NA in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
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This is based on my core conviction of not only military subordination to civil authorities but also the fact that increased military professionalism ultimately yields greater effectiveness in military operations. It is in the spirit of my vision that this year’s
NADCEL theme is aptly crafted as Professionally Responsive Soldiering: A Panacea for Successful Military Operations.
Gentlemen, we will continue to do everything possible in our resolve to build a formidable army supported by a well trained and equipped combat support arms.
I sincerely commend the efforts of the combat support arms in the ongoing counter insurgency operation in the North East (NE) where the artillery has effectively acquired, located and engaged ground targets while the air defence continue to prevent hostile aerial interference with our land operations.
The engineers have equally assisted the army to live, move and fight especially in the areas of Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) and force protection.
Additionally, the Signals Corps has provided communications and electronic warfare support for effective command and control during our operations while the NAIC has assisted in producing actionable intelligence for ongoing operations around the country.
The security challenges we are facing today however manifesting in novel and ambiguous forms thus requiring more agility, flexibility, ingenuity and an uncanny ability to think outside the box; hence, the theme of the COSAT Week, which is Enhancing the Efficiency of the Combat Support Arms in Tackling Contemporary Security Challenges.
I therefore look forward to incisive lectures, engaging discussions and pragmatic solutions to the myriad security challenges we face today.
While we have made good progress as an army; producing undisputable results in various theatres of operations, I must say that there is still room for improvement.
I see the combat support arms, being a conglomeration of intelligent, resourceful and technologically savvy officers and men, as key drivers in the attainment of my vision.
The fast-changing nature of the modern battlefield and the availability of technological resources to adversarial forces call for both critical and creative thinking to multiply force and do much with the little available.
In this regard, we must continue to strive to be self-reliant in battle space technological options and reduce importation of military hardware in the long term.
Finally, I must remind you that the NA support to the democratic dispensation of the country must remain unquestionable and personnel must remain apolitical.
Accordingly, as we engage ourselves in the task of defending the territorial integrity of this nation, we must continue to exhibit unalloyed loyalty to the constitution, and the President, C-in-C of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I wish you all fulfilling and rewarding deliberations during the training week and a memorable NADCEL 2019.
END.
