The New Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, has called on Nigerians to support the army in its efforts to secure the nation.

Mr Chibuisi made the call when he took over command of the department from his predecessor, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He promised to do his best to ensure that the Nigerian army’s operations and activities reflected the people’s expectations.

He stated, “We have a responsibility to keep projecting this very important organisation, the Nigerian army, to the people because the people own us. We have to reflect what the people want, and it is one that I am coming here with the best of my zeal so that we can get the job done. I solicit your support, everyone, both the officers and the soldiers, and of course our friends from the press.’’

The CCMA thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the privilege to serve in that capacity, pledging to deliver on the mandate of the department.

The immediate past CCMA, Maj.-Gen. Ugbo, said he promised, on assumption of office in 2023, to do his best to interface with every Nigerian and international partner in ensuring that the Nigerian army was projected as the ‘People’s Army.’

Mr Ugbo said that the department had ensured that the army conducted its operations in line with international best practices, adding that troops were trained and retrained to apply the extant rules guiding warfare.

He noted, “I am sure Nigerians are witnesses to the fact that the Nigerian army has made strides in its operations, and whatever we achieve is with the cooperation and support of all Nigerians. We have carried out the mandates of the Department of Civil Military Affairs. I want to thank first and foremost the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for appointing me and giving me the support to ensure that I deliver on my mandate.

“I also want to appreciate our amiable COAS, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, who has continued to support the department and ensured that we deliver on all our tasks and finds me worthy of commanding the corps of signals of the Nigerian Army.’’

Mr Ugbo also thanked Nigerians for supporting the Nigerian army in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, as well as the civil society, governmental and non-governmental organisations, ministries, departments, and agencies of government and international bodies that had collaborated with them.

He also commended the media and called for sustained collaboration and support for the army to continue to carry out its responsibilities.

He appreciated the officers and soldiers of the department for doing their utmost best in ensuring that they extended similar cooperation and support to his successor. 

(NAN)