Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has revealed that the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency exposed inherent flaws existing in the Nigeria Army, but restated his commitment to right all the wrongs in the army.
He observed that the counter-insurgency operations had tested the capacity of the Nigeria Army to the extent that, “it has exposed some major flaws in our discipline, regimentation and professionalism as well as the general conduct of officers and men of our Army”.
The Army chief made this remark during a key note address, while declaring open the ongoing 2015 Regimental Sergeant Majors, RSM, Convention, taking place in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
While declaring that his vision as the number one soldier is, “to have a professionally responsive Nigeria Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles,” Buratai said he was committed to achieving the restoration of the core values of soldiering which are “discipline, regimentation and professionalism.
He pointed out that these values will position the army effectively and defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria within the confines of the constitutional guideline.
The COAS described the RSMs as the most important link between officers and soldiers of the Nigeria army, as well custodians of unit regimentation must be well packaged in discipline, knowledge and motivation to enable him achieve his vision for the country’s army.
He said it was in light of the above premise that the theme of this year’s RSM’s convention was tagged “Enhancing the Capacity of RSM’s to be Professionally Responsive in the Discharge of their Roles.”
The Army chief consequently urged the 300 participating RSMs to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the convention to brainstorm and come out with better ways that would ensure troops remain focused in the “just cause” of ridding Nigeria of the scourge of terrorism and insurgency.
Also speaking, Governor Kashim Shettima, who was the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the convention, commended the army for bringing the 2015 RSMs convention to Borno state even as he eulogized the core values of the RSM in the army.
“The RSM does not only come as person with commanding presence but also the live wire of the soldiering profession.”
He went on to announce a cash gift of N50,000 to each of the participating RSMs at the convention.
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