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Army’s professionalism crucial to my electoral victories – Makinde

Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde has said he could not have become governor let alone won a second term but for the professionalism of the Army during the elections.

Highlighting the role of the Army, Makinde said the state boasted of stable security due to the efforts of the Nigerian Army.

The governor revealed this on Tuesday, when the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja paid him a courtesy call at the Oyo Governor’s office, Ibadan.

He assured of the Oyo State government’s support for the Army’s operations targeted at ensuring peace and stability across the nation.

Makinde enjoined the Army leadership to give the state government information that will enhance security in the state.

On his part, Lagbaja disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s central charge at Monday’s maiden meeting with the security chiefs was the imperativeness of security agencies operating in synergy.

Lagbaja said the security chiefs, in line with Tinubu’s mandate, were committed to working in sync, in their operations.

Asked about the import of Monday’s meeting, Lagbaja said: “The meeting was short and was meant to just introduce ourselves having just assumed command about a week ago. During that occasion, the president still espoused the need for us to operate in synergy among ourselves and with other security agencies and we are going to work along that trajectory.”

In line with this mandate, Lagbaja said he intended to focus on leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration of troops towards achieving the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigerian Army.

Lagbaja promised to focus on the motivation of troops to strictly operate within stipulated rules of engagement, and codes of conduct such that the Army lives up to the expectations of the ordinary Nigerian, and functions as a “people’s Army.”

He said: “My drive is to operate in synergy with other security agencies, sister services towards ensuring peace, and stability, to allow law-abiding citizens go about their business all across Nigeria. To do this, I intend to focus on leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration of the troops.

“I will do all within my power to motivate the troops not only to operate within the rules of engagement and codes of conduct but they will be responsive to the weight of expectations, yearnings of the ordinary Nigerians, to ensure that at the end of the day, the people’s Army that we preach is what the Nigerian citizens will find on the street.”

Addressing Makinde during the courtesy visit, Lagbaja also pledged the readiness and availability of the Nigerian Army to partner with state chief executives to ensure peace and stability reign across the length and breadth of the country.

Lagbaja added that he was in Ibadan for the commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the existence of the Nigerian Army, which would afford the Army to appraise its training and operations.

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