Senate Assures Army of Collaborative Efforts to Enhance National Security

The Nigerian Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the Nigerian Army (NA) and the executive arm of government to ensure the NA receives the necessary support to maintain peace and stability across the country. This assurance was given during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Army to Army Headquarters, Abuja.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, led members of the committee on the oversight visit to assess the implementation of the 2023 and 2024 Appropriation Acts. The visit aimed to ensure effective utilization of public funds and monitor the execution of projects captured in the approved budgets. Senator Yar’Adua expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for the smooth conduct of the assessment visits across various NA formations.

The Senator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing national security and assured that the Senate would continue to support the military in fulfilling its constitutional mandate. He noted that the visits had yielded satisfactory outcomes, providing the committee with firsthand insight into the NA’s operational efficiency and project implementation.

In his response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed gratitude to the President and C-in-C for his uncommon support to armed forces generally. He also appreciated the committee for its sustained support to the Nigerian Army. General Oluyede highlighted key challenges facing the Army, particularly in terms of operational enhancement and inadequate accommodation for troops, and other logistical shortfalls. He urged the lawmakers to consider appropriate measures to remove the Army from the current envelope budgeting system to address the pressing needs of the service.

The Senate's assurance of collaborative efforts to enhance national security is a welcome development. The oversight visit demonstrates the committee's commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian Army receives the necessary support to maintain peace and stability across the country. The Senate's support for the military is crucial in addressing the challenges facing the Army and enhancing its operational efficiency.