By Sonia Odigie
The Nigeria Army on Thursday held its maiden Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Lecture Series in Abuja with Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, stating the imperatives of a thriving Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), stating that “a nation that does not have a strong military will eventually die, unless the government is ready to fund its military for the troops to win.”
General Lagbaja, who was the Guest Speaker at the annual lecture series themed “Role Of The Military In The Protection Of Nigeria’s National Interest And Security,” said: “Globally, the military is an essential institution of the State, not only for fostering security of a nation itself, but to further assist in sustenance of nations interests as it performs duties towards her citizens such as protection of life and property, which is a critical aspect of social contract between citizenry and State.”
The COAS also stated that ”predominately, the State relied on the military power for protection of national interests and security in collaboration with other stakeholders for the interest and goals of the State. And beyond that, the military assumes a significant role in international security through participation in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian intervention, intelligence gathering and coalition operations.”
Lagbaja also noted that the Armed forces of Nigeria is ranked 4th most powerful military in Africa and has “displayed prowess amid adversities through defending Nigeria from external aggression, maintaining its territorial integrity and securing the boarder’s from violation on land sea and air.”
General lagbaja added that “the way forward for military performance in attainment of national security and interest is dependent on these objectives which include implementation of a whole society approach security, implementation of DICON Act 2023, review of domestic litigation.”
Chairman of the occasion, Mr Tajudeen Afolabi Adela, said that “the purpose of government is to improve the standard of living of the citizen and to defend the territorial integrity of the country. It’s only a peace time endeavor by the government and the military men that can bring peace in times of insecurity. Greater things can happen only when we achieve an environment of peace.”
Tarjudeen stated that “there is no way any government or any people can improve the standard of living of a populace when there’s insecurity within that population.”
