The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has praised troops for their sacrifices and pledged improved welfare for the personnel, as well as provision of equipment to enable them to effectively tackle evolving security challenges as he visits troops at Ogoja in Cross River State.

Oluyede also said that the Nigerian Army is investing significant resources to renovate schools in barracks in order to provide personnel’s children with quality education, adding that he has also directed the immediate renovation of dilapidated accommodations in the Godwin Ally Barracks, Ogoja, to improve the living conditions of soldiers and their families.

The COAS gave the pledge while addressing officers and soldiers of 130 Battalion and 341 Artillery Regiment, Ogoja, in Cross River State, during his assessment tour of army formations and units under 82 Division Area of Responsibility, a statement from the army spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, said.

He noted that the recent increase in the “Ration Cash Allowance” has enabled commanders to provide better food for soldiers. He therefore charged them to reciprocate by giving their best in the discharge of their duties.

The COAS also informed the soldiers of ongoing efforts to provide all Nigerian Army personnel with new sets of uniforms and essential military kits to enable them to perform their duties seamlessly. The measures, he explained, were part of deliberate efforts to standardise operational readiness, enhance morale, reinforce esprit de corps, and entrench his “Soldiers First” mantra.

Oluyede charged the troops to uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism, and to synergise with sister security agencies as well as host communities, stressing that such collaboration was vital to achieving lasting peace and stability in their area of responsibility.

He commended them for their resilience and unwavering commitment to national security, urging them to make more sacrifices for the nation.