Army Chief Lagbaja Advocates people’s Role In Protecting critical National Assets

By Miracle Esegha, Warri

In a thought-provoking Graduation Lecture held today 3 October, 2023 at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has advocated for pivotal roles for citizens in safeguarding critical national assets.

The army chief, made the clarion call at a lecture, organized to mark the graduation of participants of Army War College Nigeria Course 7/23. Explaining further, the Army Chief stated, “The People are the first protectors of critical national assets.” His statement underscores the indispensable role of the citizenry in ensuring the security and preservation of the nation’s essential resources and national wealth.

The COAS then emphasized the crucial need for a robust response mechanism to safeguard Nigeria’s vital national assets and infrastructure. He stressed that the government should increase resources to fortify the capability of security forces in protecting these assets effectively.

“Protection of critical national assets demands a well-equipped and responsive security apparatus,” the COAS enunciated. He added that the nation must invest in combat enablers to enhance troops’ capability to swiftly and effectively respond to threats.

The lecture which attracted personalities from the security, public and private sectors, featured former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd) as the Guest Speaker, who delivered a lecture titled “Coordinating Mechanism for Effective Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in Nigeria.” Gen Dambazau gave insight into the significance of well-organised strategies for preserving vital national assets. He harped on the importance of a well-coordinated approach to ensuring the protection of these assets, considering their immense significance to the nation’s security, stability and progress.

In his remarks, the Commandant AWCN, Major General Ishaya Maina disclosed that the objective of the lecture is to motivate the AWCN participants to engage in research efforts that will proffer enduring solutions to threats against key national assets.