The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja reassured that the Nigerian Army will continue to provide comprehensive support systems for soldiers and their families so that marital related challenges can be navigated successfully. The COAS stated this during the Maiden Workshop of the Nigerian Army Women Command on Building a Happy and Peaceful Family for Nigerian Army Personnel held at Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess 1 Asokoro Abuja.
The COAS who was represented by the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison Major General Koko Isoni stated that soldiers who have a happy and peaceful family often draw additional morale from the assurance of a secured home front to stay more focused and dedicated to their duties. This heightened focus translates into better performance, quicker and more accurate decision-making, and ultimately, greater mission success. The COAS further noted that when soldiers can concentrate fully on their tasks without distraction of relationship crisis from the home front, the entire Army benefits.
The COAS also emphasized that the well-being of soldiers and their families lies at the heart of Nigerian Army’s transformation. Other support systems such as the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS), provision of accessible education for children of army personnel through command children and secondary schools, building of worship centres, establishment of skills acquisition centres for family members and many others he expressed.
The Commander Nigerian Army Women Command, Brigadier General Mathias Amatso in his welcome remarks expressed that the workshop was inspired by the COAS focus on Sound Administration as a pillar in his Command Philosophy. He further stated that it is specifically hinged on the tenet of Support for the Homefront under sound administration. He also remarked that Nigerian Army personnel should count themselves fortunate to have a Chief of Army Staff who do not only think about how many battles the soldiers win for him, but is also deeply concerned about how to support the soldiers Homefront (that is their family.). He highlighted that the workshop was a step by the Nigerian Army Women Command to actualize the tenet of Support for the Homefront in the COAS Command Philosophy, for the benefit of Nigerian Army Women Command troops, all participants of the workshop and Nigerian Army at large.
Lectures delivered were on: Soldiering and Building a Happy and Peaceful Family through Deliberate practices, Balancing Military Service and
Parenting. others were Honouring our Values: Addressing Sexual Violence and Abuse, and Notable Nigerian Army Policys relating to Family life.
High points of the event were, interactive session, presentation of souvenirs, presentation of certificates to participants and group photograph.
MAUREEN OGBUKA
Lieutenant
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
Nigerian Army Women Command
28 September 2024.