It gives me, officers and men of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery great pleasure and honour to host the COSAT Week 2018.
On behalf of commanders, officers and soldiers of the Combat Support Arms, I would like to welcome all present here to this important occasion.
I am particularly delighted to welcome the Executive Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Bukar Shettima, our distinguished Senators representing the 3 Senatorial Districts of Borno state.
Our Royal Father, the Shehu of Borno. It is also my honour and privilege to welcome to this event, our ever supportive and indefatigable Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai.
I welcome the heads of sister agencies and other security services here. I am equally happy to welcome senior officers both serving and retired as well as all participants to this COSAT Week.
Over the years, COSAT Week has provided the Combat Support Arms of the NA a veritable platform to showcase their state of combat readiness as well as to review operational strategies to better support the combat arms in all operations.
Furtherance to this tradition and in realization of these current operational challenges, the theme of the COSAT Week 2018 as approved by the COAS is “Strengthening Combat Support Arms Cooperation in Contemporary Security Challenges”.
This theme underscores the need for improved synergy among Combat Support Arms to ensure final defeat of Boko Haram in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter insurgency operations and other Internal Security challenges.
The lectures, discussions and all other activities during this COSAT Week will therefore be tailored towards achieving this objective.
In addition to the series of lectures and discussions, there will also be a Simulation of how synergy could positively influence information management, target acquisition, common operational picture as well as prompt decisive action in furtherance to military operations.
The simulation exercise will be combined with a low level static display of recent Research and Development innovations by the Combat Support Arms.
It is pertinent at this point, to recognize the numerous successes achieved by various exercises embarked upon by AHQ to bring about peace in the country.
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Some of these exercises among others include: Exercises PYTHON DANCE, CROCODILE SMILE, AYEM AKPATUMA, HARBIN KUNAMA and Op LAST HOLD here in Northern Borno.
All the combat support Arm Participated actively in all the NA operations and exercises. We will continue to work and train accordingly for the success of future NA operation and exercises.
It is equally important to acknowledge the COAS doggedness to ensure the full operationalization of the Combat Support Arms by providing the required resources and equipment that has further smoothen the operations of the Combat Support Arms.
The NACA has particularly benefited from the COAS resolve to tremendously improve the operational responsiveness of the NA.
The Corps has witnessed the creation of conducive working environment with the building and development of infrastructures in Kontagora, Kachia and various Arty formations and regiments across the country, procurement of new vehicles, equipment, repairs of weapons etc.
Additionally, the repairs of some Shilka guns, provision of the platform for the automation system of the 155mm Oto Melara (Beguwa) guns and also the test firing of the guns. In this regard therefore, I wish to thank the COAS for these supports the corps has enjoyed.
Additionally, the COSAT Week wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amiable COAS. I wish, on behalf of the commanders, officers and soldiers of Combat Support Arms express our deep appreciation to the COAS for providing all the necessary resources for hosting the training week in addition to giving us the necessary guidance during the preparatory stage of this training week.
As I welcome you to this COSAT Week 2018, I will like to thank His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Bukar Shettima for his immeasurable support to ensure the success of this event.
Your Excellency Sir, you have always shown your solidarity with the NA. We are grateful to you. On this note, I welcome you once again to COSAT 2018 with the optimism that we will have a successful training week which the outcome will help chart a new course and explore avenue towards improving on our national security.
It is my singular honour and privilege at this juncture, to most respectfully invite the COAS LT Gen TY Buratai ably represented by Maj Gen AA Salihu Commander Training and Doctrine Command to the podium to make his opening remarks.
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