The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday, challenged the Army Infantry Corps to recreate and rebrand itself for more efficient service in line with the new vision of the Army.
The Army chief gave the challenge at the opening of the maiden Infantry Conference, in Jaji Kaduna State.
“The Infantry Corps must make conscious efforts to recreate and rebrand itself for efficient performance of its tasks.
“We have to remember that there was a period in our history when no infantry officer was found worthy to be appointed as General Officer Commanding let alone the COAS.
“The situation then was not that the Corps lacked eligible and qualified officers. It was mainly due to misperception of the Infantry.
“We must therefore not to forget in a hurry where we are coming from, and must then change the situation for good.
“It is your choice as infantry officers to right the wrong of the past through your act of professionalism, discipline, loyalty and dedication to service. Also Read; COAS TY Buratai Blows Hot, Read Riot Act To Officers and Politicians In The Country
“The choice is yours and if you fail to play your role when the need arises, history will not be kind to you,’’ Buratai said.
The COAS, who was represented at the event by Maj.-Gen. Rasheed Yusuf, expressed the belief that the conference would come up with meaningful ideas to place the infantry on a good pedestal.
He said the conference was in line with his vision of professionalism in the Nigerian Army and urged the participants to come up with useful suggestions on the repostioning of the Infantry Corps.
Buratai restated the commitment of the Army high command to the welfare of soldiers, saying key interventions had been made at the Jaji Military Cantonment in the area of accommodation and provision of potable water.
The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that Buratai also launched the Infantry Corps magazine, The Bayonet.
Earlier, the Commander, Infantry Corps Centre, Maj.-Gen. Henry Edet, said the conference was initiated to bring together serving and retired infantry officers to deliberate on matters affecting the corps.
He said it was important to rebrand and transform the corps in order to lead military operations across the country.
“The Infantry Corps as we are all aware holds sixty per cent of the entire Nigerian Army work force, it simply means that transforming the infantry successfully is transforming the army.”
Edet said apart from presentations and discussions during the conference, the Chief of Army Staff will also hold a sit-out with officers in an informal forum to interact, unwind and relax.
The commander pledged the centre’s unalloyed loyalty and unwavering support to the Army chief. [NAN]
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