Army implementing new welfare initiatives – COAS

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says Nigerian Army is implementing
new welfare initiatives to boost and improve the morale of troops.

He made this known at the opening of the First Quarter Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Conference 2024 on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) is one such measures, aimed at alleviating the hardship
soldiers face in securing personal accommodation during post-service life.

The COAS said he had directed the Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) to set aside five per cent of the AHOOAS
Scheme in each estate for allocation to soldiers with operational related disabilities.

This, according to him, is a way of making the scheme inclusive and sensitive to the plight of soldiers with such challenges.

According to him, the Nigerian army will cover all the housing expenses at 100 per cent for the soldiers.

Lagbaja said the army had reinvigorated its complimentary welfare flights for North-East troops to facilitate travels during leaves and passes.

“Furthermore, premiums paid to beneficiaries of our various insurance schemes to cater for troops’ dependents in any eventuality have been
doubled without any corresponding increase in contributions.

“These underscore our unrelenting commitment to prioritising the welfare of soldiers and their families to get the best out of them and appreciate
their service,’’ he said.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu “for his understanding and unwavering support toward enhancing army’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.”

He charged field commanders across various theatres of operations and the gallant troops to remain committed to bringing the nation’s adversaries to their
knees and restoring sanity in troubled areas.

Lagbaja said there was need to continue to strengthen operational capabilities, enhance intelligence gathering, foster inter-agency cooperation and prioritise
the welfare of personnel.

“Our commitment to professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights must remain firm and obvious to all.

“As we go into the closed session of this conference, I wish to reiterate the importance of generating sincere and candid opinions.

“I encourage participants to engage in robust discussions and provide insightful opinions and options that will fine-tune the strategies and policies of the Nigerian army to guarantee a more robust and secured Nigeria.

“Your wealth of knowledge and experience will undoubtedly contribute to our collective effort to transform the Nigerian Army to advance our nation’s security agenda.

“I am quite optimistic that the briefs and presentations during the conference will elicit robust discussions and generate strategies to maintain the Nigerian Army’s continued success in operations,’’ he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the COAS used the occasion to present 13 new Toyota Hilux vehicles to another set of Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMSs).

He also inaugurated the remodelled conference hall at the Army Headquarters Command Mess 1, Asokoro Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu