The
office of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is at the apex of the NA
structure. It exists under his command, to deter all forms of
aggression and render MACA and MACP. Section 18(3) of the Armed Forces
Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, saddles the COAS
with the responsibility of command, direction and general
superintendence of the Army.
1 Division Nigerian Army known, as "the first" is one of the Divisions established during the Nigerian civil war. The Division formerly known as the "First Infantry Division" was born out of the former " 1st Brigade" of the Nigerian Army which was later christened, " 1 Area Command".
The outbreak of civil hostilities in Nigeria in 1967 necessitated the creation of additional divisions of the nation's army.At the heat of the battle, a unique army division was formed, and was given a name that was synonymous to its terrain of operation.
81 Division is the youngest Division in the Nigerian Army. The Division was formed on 26 May 2002 when Lagos Garrison Command (as it then was) was upgraded to a full-fledged Division. The Division therefore inherited the security roles hitherto performed by the defunct Lagos Garrison Command.
82 Division formally known as 4 Infantry Division came into existence in August 1975 following a reorganization of the Nigerian Army (NA) in the same year. The 4 Infantry Division formally Lagos Garrison Organization (LGO) was created and located at Abalti Barracks, Lagos in January1964.
NIGERIAN ARMY REMAINS INDIVISIBLE – DAMBAZAUFriday, 19 March 2010 | Moses
The Nigerian Army remains an indivisible organization that cannot be affected by religion or ethnicity.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello... + Full Story
1. I wish to begin this goodwill message by acknowledging the mercies and kindness of the Almighty God, who by his divine grace kept us alive to see the New Year 2010. The year 2009 was very exciting as well as challenging, but God in his infinite mercy was with us throughout in our pursuit to making the Nigerian Army a pride of the Nigerian Nation which I envisioned on assumption of office as the Chief of Army Staff in August 2008. To him alone be the glory and adoration.
2. Our performance in the first phase of the 2009/2010 Training Cycle was very rewarding as virtually all the training activities earmarked for the phase were successfully conducted. In addition, the Nigerian Army inducted and de-inducted eight battalions in and out of Darfur and four others in and out of Liberia successfully in the year. At home, the Army also played prominent role in ensuring peace and security of our dear Country in 2009.
3.In 2009, we took bold steps through direct labour by the Nigerian Army Engineers to improve troops’ welfare. In the year, the first phase of the construction of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Barracks which is to accommodate over 200 families was completed, while numerous other living and office accommodation in the various barracks as well as training facilities in some of our schools were renovated to ensure better living and working conditions, and conducive environment for training. Our determination to undertake major construction by ourselves is yielding fruitful results and accolade from every quarter. By this method, we are building capacity and capability.4.We have commenced the improvement of our healthcare delivery system. In this direction, 44 NARHK is being totally reconstructed and will be re-equipped to a Level IV Hospital standard on completion. The same is to be extended to 68 NARHY. In the interim, our existing medical facilities are being given facelift to meet healthcare requirements of troops and that of their families. Ambulances were distributed to some Medical Reception Centres and hospitals while dialysis machines have been installed in 44 NARHK and 68 NARHY. Additional 10 ambulances have been procured and will be distributed to deserving hospitals as soon as they are delivered. All these measures are our additional efforts at ensuring better service delivery by the National Health Insurance Scheme for Nigerian Army personnel. 5.The poor state of our lift capability and equipment in the previous years was addressed in 2009. About 400 assorted vehicles were procured while about 100 others were refurbished. These vehicles have been distributed to formations and units to enhance their operational efficiency. Additionally, numerous Armoured Personnel Carriers, Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Assault Crafts, Artillery missiles and guns with associated accessories and mobile workshops were overhauled. The Nigerian Army Computerization Scheme has also been completed and will be operational very soon. In the gone year, we acquired a large stock of kits, uniform and equipment to enhance the status of Contingent Owned Equipment of our battalions and formed units embarking on Peace Support Operations (PSOs) in line with the United Nations standards. Furthermore, in order to provide minimum comfort for troops embarking on PSOs, fully equipped Forward Operating Bases were also established in Abuja and Lagos. The perennial bottle-necks hitherto associated with the payment of allowances of troops on PSOs have also been addressed. Troops on missions now get allowances due to them promptly.6.In order to meet the global trend in warfare and emerging threats, steps were taken to improve our standard of training. In this regard, the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Wing of Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) was upgraded and equipped to inject realism into troops’ training for PSOs. The Special Warfare Wing NASI has also been upgraded to a Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist Centre to train personnel on methods, tactics, techniques and procedures to deal with insurgency and terrorism. In the same vein, Nigerian Army Institute for Technology and Environmental Studies (NAITES) was established during the year to train middle level skilled manpower for the Nigerian Army and the Country at large. Furthermore, gradual equipping of the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Kontagora was embarked upon to ensure realistic Field Training Exercises by exercising units and for the forthcoming Exercise EAGLE RING VII at the end of 2010.7.In the area of discipline, I personally observed some improvement in troops’ discipline and interaction with the general public in 2009. Let me congratulate you all for this achievement and quickly state that nothing short of this standard will be accepted in the New Year. We must strive to maintain high standard of discipline and cordial relationship with the general public and most especially with our sister agencies for the furtherance of our respective mandates in line with my vision to ensure excellent civil-military relationship.8.All these achievements and many more earned the Nigerian Army commendations from within and outside the government and even beyond the shores of Nigeria. Let me therefore seize this opportunity to congratulate all officers and soldiers for your commendable performance in 2009.The real challenge however lies in our ability to improve on the standard achieved in the past year. The year 2009 was not completely rosy for the Nigerian Army; we have had to pay some supreme prices in the course of our duties within and outside Nigeria. I salute the courage of our fallen colleagues and grieve with their beloved ones. May Almighty God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses.9.The implementation of the Second Phase of 2009/2010 Training Cycle is coinciding with the preparation for 2011 General Elections. No doubt, this will pose some challenges on our integrity as a force especially with the current political happenings in the Country. I want you all to be professional in your activities and be weary of antics that could compromise our stand and belief in democratic principles. 10.In 2010, our emphasis will be on practical training as a way of improving on our present standard and it has been well brought out in the 2010 Training Directive. We will lay more emphasis on training for Internal Security Operations and PSOs while preparations will commence in earnest for our biennial activities including Exercise EAGLE RING VII. We shall also step up our effort at improving troops’ welfare and provide facilities to enhance efficiency at work. Renovation of more living and office accommodation will be embarked upon while additional facilities will be provided for our training schools to create better environment for learning this year. In 2010, It is expected that commanders at all levels will double their efforts particularly in areas of maintenance of high standard of discipline, ensuring troops’ welfare, prudent application of funds and effective maintenance of equipment placed under their command. These are command responsibilities and anything short of this will not be accepted. We must change from our old ways of doing things and be more proactive.11.Let me seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the President Commander-in-Chief, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua GCFR, members of the National Assembly, Honourable Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and my colleagues; the Chiefs of Naval and Air Staff for their unflinching support to the Nigerian Army throughout 2009. Their support was a major factor in the several successes we recorded in 2009.12.The Nigerian Army as you all are aware is focused on carrying out its roles as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, we must continue to support the President, C-in-C and indeed all other political institutions. Our loyalty to the President and the nation must also be paramount and unalloyed. There is always reward for discipline, commitment and hard work. Therefore, as we continue to work hard individually and collectively, it will be fitting to look forward with great hope and faith in the promise of better tomorrow for all. There is no doubt in my mind that, better days are ahead of us.13.Finally, it is my honour and privilege to wish you all and your loving families a most prosperous New Year. It is my prayer that God continue to watch over us all and bless us richly in 2010.AB DAMBAZAUAbuja Lieutenant GeneralJan 10 Chief of Army Staff
The
office of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is at the apex of the NA
structure. It exists under his command, to deter all forms of
aggression and render MACA and MACP. Section 18(3) of the Armed Forces
Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, saddles the COAS
with the responsibility of command, direction and general
superintendence of the Army.
