From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Nigeria Police to curb the menace of inter-agency rivalry and be exemplary in carrying out their statutory duties.
He said that as custodians of discipline, regimentation, and the customs and traditions of their various services, they must shore up the level of discipline among personnel to ensure enhanced inter-agency cooperation and a cohesive, formidable front to confront security challenges in the country.
Gen. Oluyede handed down the charge while addressing RSM participants at the recently concluded Second RSM Convention 2024, themed “Fostering Improved Discipline and Regimentation in the Nigerian Army for Enhanced Capacity to Accomplish Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment.”
General Oluyede reminded the RSMs of the cardinal importance of discipline and regimentation, which he said are essential traits to promote inter-agency cooperation and drastically curb unnecessary rivalry and skirmishes among the services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police, and other security and intelligence agencies.
He said all hands must be on deck in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and other sundry crimes in troubled parts of the country, while also developing and exhibiting positive attitudes to foster seamless joint operations to restore peace and tranquillity in the country.
Gen. Oluyede further tasked the RSMs to mentor their subordinates and present their challenges to the authorities for solutions—an approach, he said, would boost motivation and ensure that the Nigerian Army (NA) and other security agencies maintain well-led troops capable of performing their constitutional responsibilities.
Also speaking, the Chief of Administration, Army (COA), Major General Jimmy Akpor, who described Regimental Sergeant Majors as not only the custodians of discipline but also the bridge between the officers and soldiers in the Nigerian Army, said it was in that light that the Second Regimental Sergeant Majors Convention was organised to appraise the issues associated with discipline and regimentation in formations and units across services and security agencies.
Akpor challenged the participants to be well-versed in handling all matters relating to barracks security, personal security, and troops’ welfare.
The closing ceremony of the convention, which had over 200 RSM participants in attendance, witnessed a commemorative tree planting by the Acting COAS at the NASFA premises and was graced by senior officers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police, and other security agencies.
The Acting COAS later commissioned the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Interns’ accommodation at Yaba, Lagos. The building, which consists of three floors, contains a total of 84 well-furnished rooms with en-suite facilities and a common room on each floor.
While commissioning the building, the Acting COAS charged both personnel and interns to ensure that the edifice is well maintained so as not to dissipate resources by repeating the same project. He added that additional accommodation would be provided to cater for soldiers, as they must be prioritised in the scheme of welfare under his watch.