Faruk Yahaya, a former Chief of Army Staff, has called on the federal government to intervene in the critical areas of equiping, governor kitting and provision of accommodation and other basic needs to the Nigerian Army. Yahaya made the call in a lecture he presented on Saturday at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as part of activities marking the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
In his lecture title : “The ‘soldier first’ concept in shaping a new culture for transformation in the Nigerian Army’, the former army chief harped on improved welfare for soldiers and provision of basic their needs to motivate them in the performance of their responsibilities. According to him some of the basic requirements for soldiers include training, provisions of necessary tools and kits, equipment; provision of adequate food and ensuring good rest, education for soldiers’ children; provision of medicare for soldiers and their families and accommodation
Yahaya said lamented the accommodation challenges facing soldiers, saying that in some barracks, two or more families share one accommodation and the ills associated with such arrangement is better imagined.
“Perhaps the greatest welfare challenge confronting the Nigerian Army is inadequate is inadequate accommodation for its personnel, especially soldiers.
“Due to the increasing threats of insurgency, terrorism and criminality in all parts of the country in the past decades, the Nigerian Army had to increase its intake of soldiers.
“However, the massive increase was not accompanied by corresponding increase in real estate for the personnel, consequently, soldiers lack accommodation such that there are many soldiers in the midst of civilians or whatever they could afford.
“In some barracks, two or more families are sharing one accommodation and the ills associated with this is better imagined than discussed”, Yahaya said.
According to him, the “soldier first concept”, needs to accord priority to the soldiers’ accommodation.
He said the enormity of this problem cannot be handled by the Nigerian Army and appealed for the intervention of the federal government.
He said further that effective training is the most essential thing that could be bequeathed to a soldier.
“It enables him to survive, instils confidence in him and hones technical skills to the point of instinctive reaction or response.
“Training generally increases confidence and competence in troops and confidence is perhaps the greatest source of emotional strength that a soldier could upon in combat.
“Additional it instils a source of preparedness in a soldier as well as builds his mental fortitude and enhances psychological resilience that is crucial for maintaining moral under pressure”.
He added that the provision of military kits and equipment to a soldier encompasses a wide range of items for their survival, combat and effectiveness in the performance of their duties and their overall well-being .
Yahaya said, “These items could include weapon system, personal protective gears such as body amour and helmets, vehicle and support systems like communication devices, field equipment, sleeping kits and purification items as well as medical supplies.
“These items and equipment are essential to survival, efficiency and efficiency and success of soldiers in all oppositions”.
He also said soldiers need good food and rest to enhance their health and mental wellbeing.
He said, “The mental state of a soldier in most cases determines his operational output.
Some issues as simple as good food, adequate rest and sleep, good health as well as protection from the vagaries of the weather, have great impact on the moral of a soldier.
“The more fatigue a soldier is, the more susceptible to fear they become and the greater their fear the greater the drain on their energy.
“As a result, attention to the basic necessities are essential to their performance” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, said the topic of the lecture could not have been better crafted for its intended purpose.
“It was selected to serve as an avenue for critical reflection of the soldiers’ duties and the dynamics that align operational and tactical requirements”, he said.
Oluyede said, the soldier first concept focused on prioritizing of the training, equipping, responsive leadership, and effective administration of Nigerian Army to enable soldiers to carry out their duties effectively.
He reaffirm the Army’s commitment to ensuring that troops have the tools to perform their duties efficiently.
He said his leadership is committed to establishing merit-based promotions, commendations, and awards to deserving individuals.
“This is key to encouraging excellence, hard work, and loyalty within the ranks”, he added.
Faruk, ex- Army Chief, urges FG to intevene in welfare challenges facing army personnel
