By Goodluck Ikiebe in Abuja.
The Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt,-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has canvassed the need for people’s role in protecting critical national assets.
In a thought-provoking Graduation Lecture held on 3rd October, 2023 at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), General Taoreed Lagbaja, advocated pivotal roles for citizens in safeguarding critical national assets.
He told guests at the lecture, organized to mark the graduation of participants of Army War College Nigeria Course 7/23, that, “The People are the first protectors of critical national assets.”
He described as indispensable the role of the citizens in ensuring the security and preservation of the nation’s essential resources and national wealth.
The Army Chief also emphasized the crucial need for a robust response mechanism to safeguard Nigeria’s vital national assets and infrastructure.
General Lagbaja also stressed the for government to 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 added.
He noted that the nation must invest in combat enablers to enhance troops’ capability to swiftly and effectively respond to threats.
Our correspondent reports that 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.
He delivered a lecture entitled, “Coordinating Mechanism for Effective Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in Nigeria.”
Gen. Dambazau gave insight into the significance of well-organized strategies for preserving vital national assets.
He harped on the importance of a well-coordinated approach to ensuring the protection of these assets, citing 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 was to motivate the College participants to engage in research efforts that would proffer enduring solutions to threats against key national assets.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
