Lagbaja: My philosophy is to transform army into highly motivated force

Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff, says his philosophy is to transform the Nigerian army into a “highly motivated” force. 

Lagbaja spoke on Monday when he appeared before a house of representatives committee screening the service chiefs recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

The army chief said he considers his appointment as a call to higher responsibilities. He said he is “determined not to betray the trust and confidence” reposed in him.

“It is an open secret that our country has faced a challenging security environment in the past two decades,” he said.

“The episodic crises of the past have now become enduring, thereby making governance and the rule of law more challenging for successive administrations.

“Today’s painful reality is that insecurity has distracted our developmental plans and aspirations of a strong, prosperous, globally competitive and influential nation.

“Never in recent history is the requirement for proactive, adaptive and inclusive leadership more needed than Nigeria’s security environment of today.

“These requirements are what I intend to do as COAS if confirmed.

“I am mindful that the Nigerian army, which I am being screened to lead, is a crucial component of our military instrument of national power. It is not only the largest, but the most complex, most geographically spread, most sought after during crisis and often most misunderstood.

“I believe that for the Nigerian army to grapple with the demands of the contemporary security environment, it will consistently transform to be a step ahead of its time.

“For this reason, I conceptualise my philosophy of command as to transform the Nigerian army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”

Lagbaja added that he will work with the national assembly and other stakeholders to achieve the army of his dreams.