The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has acknowledged the Nigerian Army Corps of Signals pivotal role in the ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operation in the North East.
Lagbaja made this acknowledgement on Wednesday at the commissioning of the remodeled Headquarters of the Nigerian Signals Corps complex (Muritala Mohammed House) at Arakan Barracks, Apapa, Lagos State.
The COAS also commended the Corps of Signals in it’s anti-banditry operations in the North West and other operational engagements in the different parts of the country.
“The corps effort in spite the complex electro magnetic space and highly dynamic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) era is highly commendable.
“I am proud to note that the Nigerian Army Signals has remained in tune with the fast pace development and transformation been witnessed globally in the ICT sector.
“The corps has excelled at annexing new technologies to develop state-of-the-art networks that impact mission success by facilitating command and control in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
According to Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army Signals has even extended it’s services to other government agencies and the private sector, thereby projecting the image of the Nigerian Army in the ICT domain.
He said that the remodeled Muritala Mohammed House was a spring board to further enhance the Nigerian Army Signals capacity to compare and compete favourably with peers globally.
“The complex, will also serve as a proud landmark and a symbol of a renewed efficiency renaissance for the Nigerian Army Signals.
“The remodelling of this complex is also an exemplification of the army headquarters drive to provide an enabling environment for the optimal functioning of the signal corps,” the COAS said.
Lagbaja said that there had been various infrastructural development as part of efforts to provide the needed conducive living and working environment for Nigerian Army personnel to enhance productivity and well being.
“I’m a week short of eleven months since I assumed office as the COAS, and the army headquarters has executed several life changing projects.
“This includes: the construction and renovation of living quarters for officers and soldiers, the provision of portable water and improved medical facilities for our barracks communities.
“Also, there has been renovation, remodelling and in some instances outright reconstruction of office facilities such as what is commissioned today,” he said.
The COAS remained unwavering in his drive to transform the Nigerian Army into a well trained equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving his constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
He said that the Nigerian Army was blessed with a vibrant, professional and proficient signal corps that had provided reliable communication support to units and formations in training and operational engagements.
“I salute the Commander, Corps of Signals, Maj.-Gen. Gbemiga Adesina’s initiative and drive to bring the remodelling of the Signals Corps to reality.
“The value added to the Nigerian Army Signals in the past eleven months under Maj.-Gen. Adesina’s leadership has been remarkable and commendable.
“I therefore thank him for plugging into my command philosophy and providing the needed leadership to the signal corps,” the COAS said.
Lagbaja, however, challenged the Corps of Signals to be unrelenting in it’s drive to continue to break new grounds and remain at the fore front of providing ICT capabilities.
“The army headquarters will continue to provide the requisite policies and support to the Signals Corps to attain it’s objectives.
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for his believe in and unwavering support of the Nigerian Army and it’s leadership,” the COAS said.