The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has announced that the payment of the outstanding N18.4 billion Group Life Assurance claims to families of late Nigerian Army personnel will commence in the near future.
This revelation was made during the closing ceremony of the Second Regimental Sergeant Majors, RSMs, 2023 Convention on Thursday in Ibadan. The convention, themed “Leveraging Sound Administration for Highly Motivated Force and Operational Efficiency in the Nigerian Army,” commenced on Monday.
Mr. Lagbaja disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has given approval for the fund’s payment, and the National Assembly has also appropriated funds for this purpose. He assured that the money will soon be disbursed to the families of the departed personnel who died in the line of duty.
In addition, it was revealed that the Nigerian Army had undertaken various interventions for the benefit of its personnel and their families, including improvements to health and education facilities as well as the construction of suitable accommodation.
According to Mr. Lagbaja, these welfare efforts are aimed at maintaining high morale among the troops as they fulfill their constitutional duties, emphasizing that motivated troops are better positioned to address the nation’s security challenges.
Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of the training of RSMs in promoting professionalism within the Nigerian Army. Mr. Lagbaja underscored that RSMs are integral to the Army’s administrative and command structure, serving as the conduit for professional, personal, and family welfare issues for younger members.
Mr. Lagbaja urged the officers to uphold the standards of their appointment by advocating discipline and fair dispensation of justice across the Army. The Chief of Administration, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, affirmed that the training has enhanced the capacity of the RSMs, enabling them to effectively fulfill their pivotal role as intermediaries between officers and soldiers.
Mr. Akpor expressed confidence that the positive impact of the training will soon become evident as the participants return to their respective formations and units. He encouraged the participants to impart the knowledge gained to their juniors as they progress in their careers, along with the traditions, culture, and ethics of the Nigerian Army.
This development heralds a significant step towards recognising the sacrifices made by the late Nigerian Army personnel and underscores the commitment to the welfare and professional development of serving officers, ensuring a formidable and motivated force equipped to address national security challenges.
NAN
