By Chidiebere Ugwu
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Nigerian Army (NA) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja declared that the Nigerian Army will not roll-up its banners when it comes to leveraging research development and innovation to shore up its operational effectiveness.
The COAS made the assertion Thursday, 14 March 2024 during the Research Development and Innovation seminar organized by the Army Headquarters, Department of Transformation and Innovation at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Speaking on the theme; Research Development and Innovation in the Military: Strategic Options for NA Operational Effectiveness”, the COAS averred that in today’s rapidly evolving, complex and adaptive global security landscape, the need to leverage cutting edge technology and innovative solutions become imperative.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu,
Director Army Public Relations, in a statement, said the COAS noted that through Research Development and Innovation, the NA was able to appreciably respond to challenges faced in procuring needed hardware to prosecute ongoing war against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of Security challenges and developed efficient ways of managing its inventory and manpower.
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Gen Lagbaja emphasized the importance of staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare adding that NA must continuously adapt and innovate to meet the challenges posed by contemporary security threats and mutating adversarial environment.
Gen Lagbaja noted that the theme of the seminar was apt and aligned with his Command Philosophy stressing that for NA to adequately live up to expectation, it must continue to invest in research, development and innovation to develop new concepts, tactics, techniques and procedures that will outpace the adversary.
The Army Chief affirmed that under his watch, the Nigerian Army will remain committed to partnering with relevant stakeholders to improve its operational effectiveness through viable research development and innovations.
Earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (COTI), Major General Zakari Abubakar clarified that the seminar was organized in furtherance of the COAS Command Philosophy which hinges on strategic pillars of leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration.
He described Research Development and Innovation as a driving force for operational readiness that would keep the NA ahead of the adversaries.
General Abubakar noted that the seminar is crucial, as it seeks to harness the expertise of key stakeholders in the military, academia and other relevant sectors to chart the best approach towards enhancing NA’s operational effectiveness through research development and innovation.
Highlights of the seminar were lectures and presentations by erudite resource persons and robust interactive sessions.
In attendance at the seminar were the Representative of the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Olugbenga Fadipe, Director Army Ministry of Defence, Mr Sunday Attah, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, formations and Heads of NA establishments, Commandants of NA institutions, DG Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab (rtd), the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Architect. Sonny Echono, Secretary to National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mrs, Komolafe, MD Proforce, Mr Ade Ogundeyin, Directors and Deputy Directors, Heads of Para Military Agencies among several others.
