Ondo State Acting Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared open, Nigerian Army Combat Support Arms Training Week 2023 (COSAT), applauding the Nigerian Army in remaining a strong and formidable institution with other components of the armed forces, defending the sovereignty, territorial and internal security of the country.
The Acting Governor made this Commendation in his remarks as the special guest of honour at COSAT 2023 held at International Culture and Event Center, The Dome, Alagbaka Akure on Tuesday.
Aiyedatiwa was accompanied to the event by Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale and Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele.
The event hosted by Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery is aimed at assessing the combat readiness and efficiency of the Infantry and Armoured Corps of the Nigerian Army in addition to assisting in developing strategies to correct operational difficulties and ultimately put the Army in a better position to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
The Acting Governor was thankful to Nigerian Army for holding the annual event in the Sunshine State, reiterated the support of Ondo State Government to Nigerian Army to perform their constitutional responsibilities effectively.
He charged the military on the need to increase their security apparatuses, strengthening efficiency and combat readiness in response to the increasingly changing nature of security threat and challenges.
“Nigeria cannot be different if we must maintain a military force that can easily deter external aggression, meet international and regional military demands as well as tackle internal insurrections and existential threats to national security” .
“The time has come for new security architecture for the country,” he charged.
Worried by the upsurge of security challenges in the country, Aiyedatiwa said without security, there cannot be peace, and without peace, there cannot be meaningful development.
“It is true that every society has her fair share of security challenges, but the intensity of the State of security in Nigeria in recent times calls for urgent action to stem the tide,” he said.
The Acting Governor disclosed that, the State has been complimenting support to the Military in terms of logistics and constant financial assistance.
“The Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun Corps, conceived by the State Governors of the Southwest Geopolitical zone and implemented in Ondo State as an interventionist initiative has been providing a huge support to the Nigerian Army,” he said.
While applauding the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja on his new rank and position, Aiyedatiwa appreciated the Nigerian Army for their robust security formation and units deployed to tackle crimes and criminal activities in the State.
Earlier the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was grateful to the state government for hosting the event, he said Nigerian Army would continue to reinforce shared cooperation and collaborations through countless trainings and military exercises.
He lauded all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their support and cooperation as he called for continuous cooperation to move the Nigerian Army forward.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja charged the officers and participants at the training on the need to intellectually stimulate themselves with the aim of enhancing operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army and proffer practicable solutions to the national security challenges.
