Nigerian Army veterans have pledge to play key roles at ensuring that the current insecurity in Nigeria is surmounted adding that the menace of insecurity is not insurmountable.
The veterans made the pledge via a communique at the end of a five day third quarter 2022 veteran affairs workshop/seminar in Yola.
Col E.C Ibeh who read the communique expressed delight over the robust contributions of the veterans which he said will prove useful in military policies and programs towards addressing the social insecurity bedeviling Nigeria.
He noted that the communique may be reviewed to add vital contributions made during the exercise.
Ibeh added that the essence of the seminar/workshop is to consolidate on the gains of the previous sessions organized this year and last year and also to address gaps in the engagement of Nigerian army veterans in their roles in information gathering for enhanced national security.
He added that during the session six lectures were presented by erudite resource persons including serving and retired personnel in line with the theme of the seminar.
He noted that the workshop has paid premiums as thought provoking issues were discussed while a number of resolutions that could lead to the effective war against insecurity were proferred.
Ibeh said the theme of the workshop “harnessing the skills of Nigerian army veterans for national security” was applauded by the particants who said it needs to be sustained as it rekindles a renewed patriotic fervor and gave them a sense of belonging.
Other resolutions reached include the need for veterans to engender nationalism through patriotic disposition while they checkmate the preponderance of corruption and ethno religious sentiments in their localities.
The session also called on the army to harness the wealth of experience of the veterans for enhanced national security just as the veterans were encouraged to key into local security in their various communities so as to tackle the challenges holistically.
The veterans were also encouraged to provide useful information in their community and help in gathering intelligence to support military operations.
Also speaking, the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya thanked all the participants for their robust engagements and viable contributions which led to the success of the event.
Represented by director veteran affairs Directorate, Major Gen. M T Durowiye, Faruk thanked the GOC, 3 division, commander 23rd army brigade Yola, Adamawa State government, and the participants of the workshop for a job well done.
He promised to escalate the communique to the highest military echelon for action assuring that the resolutions will prove useful in enhancing cooperation between the military authorities and the veterans on one hand and resolving the security quagmire in the nation on the other.
While applauding the Nigerian Army for a well thought out policy, governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State noted that the workshop was timely considering the need for all hands to be on deck in resolving our fragile security situation in the country.
He thanked the Nigerian Army and the participants for the success of the event adding that the workshop was timely and proper.
The governor expressed optimism that with the inclusion of the veterans, the current security challenges facing the country will be reduced due to the wealth of knowledge reserved by the veterans and their candid contributions.
