Army Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Troops’ Welfare, Supports Families of Fallen Heroes
Army Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Troops’ Welfare, Supports Families of Fallen Heroes
By Matthew Eloyi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel and the families of fallen heroes.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 COAS Annual Conference on Monday in Abuja, Oluyede presented cheques worth millions of naira to some next-of-kin (NOK) of deceased army personnel under the Group Life Insurance Scheme.
In his remarks, Oluyede emphasised the importance of robust welfare initiatives to honour the sacrifices of the nation’s soldiers.
“These include timely financial assistance, access to healthcare, educational sponsorship for children or dependents of personnel, and other essential services aimed at providing stability to those affected by the sacrifices of our courageous colleagues,” he said.
The COAS added that the army would continue to support personnel who sustained disabilities in the line of duty. “By prioritizing these welfare initiatives, we honor their service and reinforce our duty of care, ensuring that the families of our fallen and injured personnel are respected,” he stated.
As part of efforts to improve troop morale and operational efficiency, Oluyede promised to sustain systematic troop rotations to prevent fatigue.
“The practice is essential for preserving the physical and mental well-being of our troops, preventing fatigue, boosting morale across the force, and ultimately enhancing operational effectiveness,” he explained.
Oluyede commended officers and soldiers for their sacrifices and urged them to intensify their efforts in the coming year. “I encourage you all to redouble your efforts in the coming year to surpass our accomplishments from this year,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his strategic guidance and unwavering support for the Nigerian Army, Oluyede assured the President and Nigerians of the army’s dedication to its constitutional mandate.
“The Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned to justify the confidence and support of the government and the good people of our great nation,” he pledged.
As part of his welfare initiatives, the COAS also presented Hilux vehicles to 12 Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) to boost the morale of soldiers.
Earlier, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, highlighted the army’s progress in tackling internal and external threats. He noted, however, that significant challenges persist in parts of the Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions.
“These developments underscore the need for a meeting of this nature to critically assess our operations and activities with a view to boosting our overall performance,” Ibrahim said.
The annual conference, he added, was convened to facilitate meaningful deliberations aimed at achieving the army’s strategic objectives and addressing critical areas requiring thorough evaluation.
