CDS Unveils Vision for Armed Forces
Again, military recaptures Gomboru Ngala
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, has commended the field commanders and the troops in the North-east for maintaining the momentum in their efforts to rout out terrorists from the country.
Olonisakin gave this commendation yesterday at a meeting with the Principal Staff Officers and senior officers of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja.
This came as the Nigerian Army yesterday said it had retaken the economic and strategic town of Gomboru Ngala, Borno State, from the Boko Haram terrorists group yesterday.
Confirming this in a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, the army said: “The triumphant troops are now busy with clearing and mopping up patrols.”
Olonisakin urged that “all hands must be on deck to ensure that the presidential directive of ending terrorism very shortly is achieved.”
The CDS at the brief but colourful ceremony at the DHQ Conference Hall, unveiled his vision for the armed forces of Nigeria, entitled; “To ensure a well motivated, trained and equipped Armed Forces that is responsive to national security commitments.”
He also emphasised that the pursuance and drive of all operational responsibilities of the DHQ, henceforth would be guided by the Vision.
Olonisakin further urged all personnel of the Armed Forces to redouble their efforts to ensure that all confidence reposed in the military by our dear nation is not shaken.
In a related development, the new leadership of the Nigerian the army has continued to generate tremendous goodwill and excitement from Armies of various countries with latest coming from the Armed Forces of Brazil.
To this end, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff for International and Special Affairs, Brazilian Army, Maj-Gen. Joarez Alves Pereira Junior, paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Abuja.
Speaking, Gen. Pereira Junior stated that his country started reaching out to African countries and considered Nigeria to be the first to be visited because of its strategic importance in the West African sub-region.
He stressed the need for military cooperation between the two countries which is aimed at strengthening their long existing relationship while expressing his government’s readiness to offer training opportunities to the Nigerian Army personnel at all times.
Responding, Buratai commended the Brazilian Army Chief for the visit, acknowledging that the Brazilian example is good for Nigeria to emulate, citing the Defence Industries as a typical area of interest between the two countries.
He pledged the Nigerian Army’s readiness to cooperate with Brazil and assured him of the Nigerian Army’s determination to end Boko Haram terrorism soon.
The COAS also described the existing cooperation between the two countries as a good step in the right direction, stressing that there are a lot of things for the two countries to learn from each other.
He also used the opportunity to request the Deputy Chief of Army Staff’s assistance in facilitation of training billets for Nigerian Army personnel particularly in jungle warfare due to the present security challenges in the country.
Present during the visit were the Brazilian Defence Attaché to Nigeria/Ghana and some principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters.