Army sets 10-year growth target
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
A 10-YEAR development plan has been initiated by the Nigerian Army to make its personnel match with their counterparts in the Western world in the areas of information technology and military weaponry.
And to effectively pursue the goal, the Chief of Army Conference scheduled to begin in Owerri today will brainstorm on the affordable means of achieving the plan.
Briefing journalists at the weekend in Owerri, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Martin-Luther Agwai said he has taken it as a challenge to ensure that the Federal Government increases defence budgetary allocation for effectiveness and efficiency.
Agwai, who inspected officers from various military formations in the country who undertook training in new military techniques, said Nigerians should stop criticising the budgetary allocation to defence.
The army chief said: We will continue to have a strong disciplined and well organised army, that's my vision. I mean the army that allies will respect and enemies will fear and Nigerians will be proud of.
"Nigerian Army will continue to train personnel locally and overseas. When you see the budgetary allocation for defence, you are the one to shout and at the same time talk when you see the condition of the barracks. Well, the problem of barracks is long time neglect by previous administrations," he said.
The Chief of Army Staff said the military under him would not promote those who undertake studies outside their areas of vocation without the prior knowledge of the authorities".
His words "We will continue to frown at people who go behind to do course on their own. The army spends much on training and it will continue to train its personnel locally and in overseas.
"But it will continue to blame individuals who take career outside the military. Things are done centrally and in hierarchical order. I don't think you can go and get sociology certificate from say the university of Benin or anywhere. Get it from your professional area, don't divert," he said.
Agwai urged Nigerians to see the new and improved army as engaging in developmental projects and not only fighting war.
"Army also indulges in developmental projects. We build bridges, culverts and others," he said, reiterating the preparedness of the military to continue to improve on the welfare and salaries of soldiers.
According to him, President Olusegun Obasanjo, for official reasons, will not declare open this year's conference with the theme: "Transforming the Nigerian Army into a strong and credible force to meet the challenges of the next decade."
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will represent the President while other service chiefs, Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa and other senior military officers would attend the event.
As part of the training, soldiers from 2, 8 and 82 divisions and others from the Third Armoured Brigade would dismantle and re-assemble AK47 riffle and GPMG.
Meanwhile, a Nigeria-born U.S. soldier Col. Edwin Njoku has said that for Nigeria to advance militarily, it should begin to beef up its technological base and train its personnel.
Njoku stated this at the weekend while briefing journalists in Owerri.
