By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has charged the Nigerian Army to evolve strategies that will consolidate its efforts in tackling the myriads of security challenges faced in the State and country as a whole.
Pastor Umo Eno, who gave the charge, Tuesday, while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff combined 2nd and 3rd quarters conference 2024, in Uyo, also harped on the training of military personnel in the country towards emerging threats, alongside the procurement of necessary equipment in line with the training.
This, he said, was necessary as the various operations being conducted in Akwa Ibom and other parts of the country require a high degree of training and expertise.
Eno also sued for joint training in multi-agency cooperation and collaboration to boost the level of synergy and cooperation amongst the various security agencies in the quest to defeat criminal elements within the shortest time possible, saying his administration will ever remain steadfast in assisting the Nigerian Army in achieving its goals in Akwa Ibom and beyond.
According to him, for development to thrive, there must be security of lives and property, hence, the need for them to secure the nation while the role of government is to do all that is possible to ensure that the Army is well equipped.
While describing security as a key requirement for national development, and the Nigerian Army as one institution that plays and continues to play a key role in achieving security, Eno said the Army remains a veritable tool for projecting the country’s national power.
He said in recognition of its role as regards security in the State, his administration has created the Joint Maritime Operations and Task Force, procured and deployed 14 patrol boats in response to the littoral nature of the State and the threats posed by sea pirates, militants, and kidnappers within the State’s waterways, even as it donated Hilux trucks to assist the police in real-time response to combat crimes, urging the Army to continue to remain apolitical and operate within the framework of the principles of fundamental human rights.
Eno recalled that in its bid to show commitment to maintaining security, his administration shortly after inauguration, set up a full-fledged Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, headed by one of their own, General Koko Essien (rtd), and also created the Ibom Community Watch (ICW), a community-based informal security architecture that serves to complement the activities of security agencies with intelligence and physical presence, especially based upon their deep knowledge of their localities.
He noted that since assumption of office, he has been particularly impressed with the progressive restructuring of the Nigerian Army, watching with great delight and pride the maiden flights of the Army Aviation during the just-concluded Army Day Celebrations in Jos and coming to the conclusion that the Nigerian Army is constantly innovating and deepening its competence and professionalism as required of a modern army.
The governor lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General T. Lagbaja, for the purposeful direction he has given to the Nigerian Army towards meeting its constitutional responsibility, saying, “we feel very proud of him, particularly given the fact that he was here with us at some point in his illustrious career as the Commander of Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo”.
He noted that the establishment of 2 Brigade Headquarters in Akwa Ibom has contributed in no small measure to the relative peace experienced in the State and has helped in creating a good working and harmonious relationship between the Army, his administration, alongside other sister security agencies in maintaining the peace the state enjoys.
Eno expressed belief that the peace experienced in Akwa Ibom informed the Army’s decision to choose the State to host its combined conference 2024 as a further pointer to the good relationship between Akwa Ibom and the Nigerian Army,
The state chief executive officer noted with keen interest the important role that the regular conferences undertaken by the Nigerian Army plays in appraising training and operational activities with a view to learning lessons for future undertakings, urging them to think out of the box and evolve strategies that will consolidate its efforts in tackling the security challenges faced in the State, as they deliberate during the conference.
Meanwhile, Governor Eno had earlier advocated for the establishment of an additional Army battalion in Akwa Ibom, preferably, along the Oron axis of the southern fringe of the state, as a step to addressing the lingering security issues around the littoral areas of Akwa Ibom.
He made the advocacy, Monday, during a courtesy call on him by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, at Government House, Uyo, on his arrival for the combined second and third quarters edition of the 2024 Chief of Army Staff Conference, which took place in the State from August 26, 2024 to August 30, 2024.
Eno lauded the synergy between the Army formations in the State and other security agencies, which he noted, is a major boost to the security of the state, assuring of government’s readiness to lend all necessary support to enable the establishment of the new base.
The governor acknowledged the reflection of the federal character in the top echelon of the Nigerian Army and commended their efforts and commitment to preserving the nation’s democracy by ensuring the security of citizen across the various parts of the country, while expressing hope that normalcy will soon be restored in troubled areas of the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Lagbaja, had said that the courtesy call on Eno was to register the presence of the Nigerian Army in the host state for the week-long conference, applauding the peaceful and hospitable ambience of the state which, according to him, informed the choice of the state for the conference.
Lagbaja explained that the conference is usually hosted in Abuja, but if taken outside Abuja, it is always held in troubled spots, as a show of force, saying the case in Akwa Ibom was different as they were in the State to relax and discuss serious national security concerns.
He registered the appreciation of the Nigerian Army to the government and people of Akwa Ibom State for the support extended to the 2 Brigade headquarters in the State, through the provision of infrastructure and logistics as well as the warm reception of his team to the State, assuring of the continued commitment of the Army in exerting itself to ensure the security and safety of citizens in the country and State.
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