The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Jamal Abdussalam has asserted that working with sister Services is a mandate for 6 Division, NA. The GOC made this assertion when he received separately in audience, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Istifanus Albara, and the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited (NSL), Rear Admiral Nanmanle Damtong at Headquarters, 6 Division, Port Harcourt Barracks.
While welcoming them to 6 Division, the GOC restated that the mandate was explicitly captured in the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s command philosophy which is “To transform the Nigerian Army into a well trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”. Thus, he said fostering joint environment is a mandate that must be sustained through functional synergy with sister Services, particularly the Nigerian Navy(NN).
He further reassured that the Division will continue to consolidate on the synergy it has established with other sister Services within it’s Area of Responsibility. Major General Abdussalam reiterated that the Division would explore the possibility for routine maintenance of gunboats and other maritime platforms with NSL. He also used the medium to invite them to take advantage of the recreational facilities in Port Harcourt Barracks. This he said would cement the bond of friendship between officers and men of the NA and NN.
Stating the purpose of his visit, the FOC NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Albara said he visited the Division in order to familiarize with the GOC and his staff, having relocated NAVTRAC from Lagos to Rivers State. He further added that it is also important to network with those that have been on ground so as to navigate effectively in this region. The FOC said his command, essentially coordinates training in the NN, stressing that without training there won’t be operations.
In a related vein, the Admiral Superintendent, NSL, Rear Admiral Damtong stated that as part of the cultural requirements, he was at the Division to build on the already established relationship. He said he was aware of the various Corps in the NA, performing different roles in support of the NA.
This he said could be likened to what is obtainable in the NN, with specialised units. One of such is the NSL, located in Lagos and Port Harcourt, with a mandate to run as a commercial venture. He highlighted that NSL is into building ships and gunboats, including repairs and maintenance. He assured that they could support the NA in this regard, while soliciting for patronage. He also assured that NSL will be available to support the NA.
The major moments during the visits were exchange of souvenirs, group photographs as well of tree planting at 6 Division biodiversity site in Port Harcourt Barracks