By Lawrence Audu
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has called for sustained technological innovation and ingenuity for the success of ongoing military operations across the country.
General Lagbaja gave the charge today, Monday, 27 May 2024, when he paid his maiden visit to the Engineering Depot in Kaduna, where he was thoroughly briefed by the Commander Major General Babatunde Alaya on the engineering efforts of the Depot in rebuilding, reboring and refitting damaged and broken down Combat vehicles in support of formations and units of the Nigerian Army.
He charged personnel of the Command Central Engineering DEPOT (CED) Nigerian Army (NA) to exhibit ingenuity in rebuilding, renovating and repairing burnt, damaged and broken down Combat platforms recovered from formations and units deployed across the country.
He urged the personnel to sustain the current operational momentum and successes by supporting the troops in the frontlines through swift engineering interventions in rebuilding and repairing Combat equipment.
The COAS pointed out that drawing from his Command Philosophy, the CED remains pivotal in ensuring the sustenance of equipment in the inventory of the Nigerian Army. He commended the Commander, officers, soldiers, and civilian staff of the DEPOT for diligently keying into his Command Philosophy to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”. He lauded the earlier leadership of the NA for resuscitating the comatose former Central Engineering Depot which has now been transformed into a viable and innovative Command Engineering Depot.
During the visit, General Lagbaja inspected the various production sections of the Depot and interacted with the personnel. He was accompanied by the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General John Ochai, GOC 2 Division Major General Lander Saraso and Principal Staff Officers from the Nigerian Army.