Wike charges Federal Government to strengthen military

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, challenged the Federal Government to strengthen the combat capability of the nation’s security architecture, especially the Nigerian Army.

Wike, who gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian Army Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) Week 2021 in Port Harcourt, stressed that the goal of such investment should be to make the Nigerian Army the strongest and the best in Africa.

The governor spoke on Building Capacity Of The Combat Support Arms Towards Optimising Utilisation Of Indigenous Technology In Support Of Nigerian Army Operations.

He maintained that there should be increased commitment to national defence with robust budgetary allocation for security that would engender adequate mobilisation of resources to support implementation of strategic initiatives in developing indigenous defence technology.

He lamented the fact that besides the challenges of political crisis of the first republic and the 30-month Nigerian civil war that would have made Nigeria relics of history, Boko Haram had remained a huge threat for over a decade.

“Consequently, countries whose superior military technology are better placed to outperform others win the battle than others who do not have and had to depend on support from advanced countries.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria is among countries currently lagging behind advancements in science, technology and innovation,” he said.

Speaking further, Wike affirmed that the quality, operational capacity and competence of Nigerian Armed Forces was dependent on the ability to provide impregnable fortress and safeguarding of the country’s sovereignty, security, development and interests.

Declaring the week open, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the training week remained an avenue for participants to brainstorm and restrategise towards providing effective support to all operations of the Nigerian Army.

In his welcome address, the Corps Commander Signal, Major General Abiodun Owolabi expressed the hope that the training would contribute significantly to achieving the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of building a professional Army that would be ready to accomplish assigned missions in the defence of the country.