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COAS Commends Past Corps Commanders, Retired Generals of the Finance Corps
The Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) has commended past Corps Commanders and other retired generals of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps ( NAFC) for their meritorious service to the nation
The COAS made the commendation during the Regimental Dinner Night organized in honour of past corps commanders and retired generals at the Command Finance Office Apapa, Lagos. The Army Chief who was represented by the Commander Corps of Signals Major General Abiodun Owolabi noted that the NAFC as the sole custodian of the NA financial resources has carved a niche for itself and remained steadfast and professional in its mandate which he attributed to the solid foundation laid by the founding fathers of the Finance Corps and some who were present at the Dinner. The COAS, therefore, urges the leadership of the Corps to sustain the efforts and also ensure the tenet of the NA tradition are institutionalized in the Corps
According to General Yahaya, retirement is an inevitable phase in the life of every military personnel as it marks the completion of active service to the nation. He said the regimental dinner and subsequent Pulling Out Parade are scheduled to show appreciation to own veterans after meritorious service to the nation and to boost the morale of aspiring retirees. He, therefore, implored the retired veterans to continue to support the NA in all its engagements. He stated that this is in line with his vision to have ‘ A professional NA ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defense of Nigeria’ The Ay Chief urged all to focus on the core values of the NA which include loyalty, courage, integrity and selfless service
Earlier, the Chief of Account and Budget Army Major General Adetokunbo while welcoming special guests and the retired senior officers stated that 23 senior officers were being honoured which include 6 Major Generals and 17 Brigadier Generals. He disclosed that the Regimental Dinner Night was to celebrate the Corps’ most deserving retired senior officers for their dedication, leadership, and sacrifice while in service. He noted that even in retirement many of them have continued to offer their wealth of knowledge and expertise in support in support of the Corps and also mentoring the upcoming officers towards a successful career.
The past Corps Commanders and retired generals honoured include Major Generals JO Lartey, BVT Kwaji, DA Bako, CE Airhiavbere, CU Agulanna and MK Yunusa. Others were Brigadier Generals SU Umusu, MA Nyiam, JA Adejoh, BB Adewinmbi, FA Mohammed, CU Akagu, JO Ozigi, MK Joktara, OP Sintali, YB Yakubu, JS Sura, AA Adekoya, IZ Ohiaka, JA Faransi and YK Musa.
Special guests who graced the occasion include the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA Major General Obinna Ajunwa, President Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, Flag Officer Western Naval Command Real Admiral YB Wambai.The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of plagues and souvenirs to the retired generals.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that every Nigerian citizen is mandated by law to initiate an arrest if they notice a crime being committed anywhere.
Adejobi made the revelation while speaking as a panelist during the panel session at the 2023 National Security Conference of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) with the theme “Proliferation of Lethal Weapon As Security Threat: Arm-Full, Harm-full to New Dispensation’ held on Thursday in Lagos.
The FPRO, who represented the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, leveraged on Section 12 of the Criminal Code, to buttress his point, saying it empowers individual Nigerians to initiate arrest, and hand over to the Police, adding that initiating the arrest does not include beating up a suspect, mobbing or lynching.
He added however, that the difference between the regular citizens and security agencies is one does not bear arms while the other does, while reiterating that whoever wishes to own or possess weapons must have them licensed by the appropriate government agency or will be seen to have run foul of the law, and made to face and bear the full weight of the law.
“The law empowers the military personnel, and other law enforcement agencies to bear arms, but it’s however, frightening to see many individuals in possession of arms without being licensed by the relevant authority,” he said.
The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr. Solomon Arase, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 30,000 new personnel into the Nigeria Police Force. He said the gesture will help not only in sustaining peace and security,but also check the proliferation of small arms and lethal weapons, which has been the bane of safety in the nation.
Mr. Arase, who was represented by AIG Ade Shinaba, made the remarks while speaking as the special guest of honour at the 2023 National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) National Security Conference at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, said the president has set the pace in setting security on the right path and the enlargement of the force will go a long way in checking the proliferation of Lethal weapons and small arms in the country.
The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has said that the Corps will continue to ensure security of lives and protection of critical national assets and Infrastructure in Katsina state.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, CSC Babawale Afolabi, in a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), said the Commandant General gave the assurance when he played host to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, at the Corps’ National Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that effective security is sacrosanct to the Corps and strategies are constantly being deployed to ensure that criminality is reduced drastically.
He assured the Governor and the good people of Katsina state of the Corps’ commitment to curbing insecurity by employing both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to achieving results.
“I understand that Katsina State had experienced some bandit attacks in the last couple of years.
“Its vulnerability which is partly due to its big size and geographical location as a state bordering other states in the North and the Niger Republic is of great concern.
“But be rest assured that with the on-going recruitment in the Corps, more men would be deployed to Katsina to strengthen security in the state,” the CG hinted.
He reiterates that insecurity in the country took an asymmetric form almost two decades ago and it must not be allowed to spread further.
The Corps helmsman called on State Governors who are the chief security officers of their various states to adopt more robust and inclusive approaches in stepping up security.
According to Dr Audi, state governments have greater roles to play in providing maximum support that will help in curbing attacks and criminalities in states.
“Sometimes, these bandits come out from their hiding, hit a target and run back to hiding; leaving a devastating effect on both lives and property.
“We have our Special Forces and with scientific collaborations with other security agencies, the attacks will come to an end very soon.
“No single agency can tackle insecurity, hence, the need for a more inclusive operational strategy to end the menace,” CG said.
The CG commended the Governor for the proactive steps taken in the right direction to secure his people and assured of the Corps’ readiness to collaborate effectively with Katsina State Government in the fight against banditry, vandalism and economic sabotage in the state.
Responding, the Katsina State Governor stated that his visit was to further solidify the existing cordial relationship between the Corps and Katsina State Government.
“You have have been very supportive in addressing the issues of insecurity disturbing our people.
“Katsina is one of the states suffering from bandit attacks and other forms of criminalities.
“I have therefore come to solicit for more cooperation and to see how we can collaborate in bringing peace to our state,” he said.
The Governor lamented the inadequate number of personnel across security services which has impeded the expected success in the fight against insecurity.
He explained that the state has trained and engaged the service of about one thousand five hundred (1,500) indigenes to assist the conventional security agencies in the state.
“I believe with the engagement of the locals in the form of civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), combined with the conventional security, we will go a long way in combating insecurity and reduce it to the barest minimum,” the Governor said.
