The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has charged Regimental Seargent Majors (RSMs)of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Nigeria Police to curb inter agency rivalry and be exemplary in carrying out their statutory duties as custodians of discipline, regimentation, as well as customs and traditions of their various Services.
The statement by Director Army Public Relations, Major General
Onyema Nwachukwu revealed that the Ag COAS stated this while addressing RSMs participants at the recently concluded Second RSM Convention 2024. The Convention themed “Fostering Improved Discipline and Regimentation in the Nigerian Army for Enhanced Capacity to accomplish constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment” held at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA), Apapa, Lagos. General Oluyede reminded the RSMs of the importance of entrenching discipline and regimentation, which he posits are essential towards promoting inter-agency cooperation and capable of curbing unnecessary rivalry amongst Services, the Police, other security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria. He enjoined the RSMs to shoreup the level of discipline of personnel in their organisations to ensure enhanced inter-agency cooperation, cohesion, and unity to collectively confront security challenges in the country. He added that all hands must be on deck in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminalities in the country, while also developing and exhibiting positive attitudes to foster seamless joint operations to restore peace and order in the country.
Gen Oluyede further tasked the RSMs on the importance of mentoring their subordinates, an approach, he said would boost motivation and ensure that the NA and other security agencies maintain a well led troops capable of performing their constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking also at the convention, the Chief of Administration Army (COA), Major General Jimmy Akpor described RSMs as not only the custodians of discipline, but also the bridge between the officers and soldiers in the NA, sister Services, the Police and other security agencies. He added that it was in that light that the Second RSMs Convention is organised to appraise the issues associated with discipline and regimentation in formations and units across Services and other security agencies.
The COA challenged the participants to be transparent in handling all matters relating to barracks and personal security as well as troops’ welfare.
The closing ceremony of the convention, which had over 200 RSMs in attendance, witnessed a commemorative tree planting by the Acting COAS at the NASFA premises and was graced by senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The Acting COAS later commissioned the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Interns accommodation at Yaba, Lagos. The building, which consists of three floors, contains a total of 84 furnished rooms.
While commissioning the building, the Acting COAS charged both personnel and interns to ensure that the edifice is well maintained to avert utilising scarce resources to rehabilitating or reconstructing the same project. He added that additional accommodation would be provided to cater for soldiers, as they must be put first in the scheme of welfare under his watch.