By Gbenga Akingbule.
The new Chieif of Army Staff ( COAS) Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu is adopting a different strategy to ending the 16-year-old insurgency – motivating soldiers on the frontlines is his secret weapon.
Gatekeepers News reports that Gen. Shaibu hit the ground running, heading straight to Maiduguri, Headquarters North East Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai last week to rally troops battling Boko Haram terrorists.
At the Theatre Command, where Gen Shaibu had a closed door meeting with top echelon of the Nigerian Army for hours, motivating soldiers on the frontlines became the unshakeable priority to crush Boko Haram terrorists.
“You are aware that I’ve been here for a very long time, and I’m aware of the challenges. My coming here is, first and foremost, appreciating the troops on what they have been doing and the extent they are going to secure the entire areas of operations.
“For motivating the troops, we will try to uphold the soldier-first concept of my predecessor, and I’ll do everything to improve on that concept. As soldiers will get what is due to them on time and going forward, we will see how we can extend that to their family at home while they serve their fatherland,” Gen Shaibu said.
COAS who is the most recent Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, had spent two days in Maiduguri interacting with officers and soldiers revealing that the Army is investing massively in all its schools to give kids of troops top-notch facilities and world-class education.
Gen.Shaibu who encouraged the troops to redouble their efforts in. discharging their onerous duties, said the Army is taking all deliberate steps at enhancing the welfare of troops and their families.
“We are investing in our various Command Schools to ensure they meet global standards. We will ensure that your children are properly trained – they will go to the best schools- our Command Schools and our Army Children’s Schools – and they will get quality education,” COAS said.
The Army Chief who charged the troops to brace up to defeat Boko Haram in all their hideouts said sufficient fighting equipment is already in place to ensure total clampdown on the terrorists.
Gen Shaibu emphasized that the Army is taking different routes in its renewed fight to bringing Boko Haram insurgency to a, halt, pointing out that “battle tested officers have been posted to the theatre” to accelerate victory against the terrorists.
“This time , you’re going to do things differently, all resources and and all combat enablers have been provided . You’ve the training, and your training is to defeat the terrorists that have been disturbing in the North East,” Gen. Shaibu said.
The morale boost championed by the Army Chief is not restricted to the serving soldiers alone, mechanics , welders, and technicians fixing army vehicles in the last three years have been given greenlit to enlist in the Nigerian Army.
“This is the golden opportunity I’ve been dreaming of. The COAS has given me a chance to serve my fatherland and contribute my quota to its development.” Ibrahim Mohammed , an electrician is one of over 30 skilled technicians who have been given the nod by COAS to enlist in the Nigerian Army.
