By Harriet Tornguvan
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has underscored the necessity of collaborating with esteemed institutions to harness emerging technologies for the Nigerian Army's (NA) transformation efforts. This announcement was made on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) Week 2024, held at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering in Makurdi, Benue State.
In a statement to the press, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, relayed these developments.
General Lagbaja highlighted the essential roles of the Combat Support Arms, which include the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Intelligence Corps. He praised these units for their significant contributions to the NA’s operational successes but noted the necessity for continuous improvement due to the evolving nature of warfare and operational environments.
He emphasized the importance of ongoing training, research, and development to preempt emerging threats. Furthermore, he stressed the critical need for partnerships with governmental and non-governmental institutions to enhance the NA's operational capabilities through advanced technologies.
Reverend Father (Dr.) Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State, praised the troops for their dedication and regarded COSAT Week as a vital initiative to integrate emerging technologies into military operations.
In his keynote address, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, advocated for the NA to adopt emerging technologies to address national security challenges.
Major General Philip Eromosele, Commander Corps of Engineers, stated that the objective of COSAT is to improve operational efficiency and display Research and Development exhibitions along with River Crossing demonstrations.
The event drew significant participants from the science and technology sectors, including key stakeholders from research and development, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Alhaji Abdulazeez Musa Yar’ Adua, and a representative from the Minister of Innovation and Technology.
