The attention of Citizens Watch Nigeria (CWN) and Transparency Network Centre (TNC), two pro-democracy and pro-transparency groups, has been drawn to the numerous ground breaking and landmark achievements by the Nigerian Army under the proactive and humane leadership of Lt Gen. Yusuf Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). As the Nigerian Army marks the ‘Army Day’ celebrations, it is pertinent to take stock and look at how far the army has come and in doing this, CWN and TNC endorses the Nigerian Army for the professionalism and various victories achieved so far in protecting lives and property and gives it an excellent pass mark on its stewardship to the nation.

In the press release signed by Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, the Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Nigeria (CWN) and Com. Faruk Umar of Transparency Network Centre (TNC) respectively, they commended Lt. Gen. Buratai for the welfare and training of officers and men, military strategies adopted against insurgents and the institutional capacity building presently taking place thereby giving victory to the present leadership of the army and for its transparent, dogged, innovative and dynamic leadership in the administration of the army. Emphasizing that Nigerians are proud of the professional focus of the army in regards to the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of the nation and the high motivational ‘espirit de corps’ of the men and officers including conforming with the best global practice as it relates to human rights and civility of the army in this democratic dispensation. They posited that the present crop of officers and men are the best wherever they go in Africa and the world due to the human capital development taking place presently and the intensive capacity building never seen in the 150 years of its history.

According to the duo, Lt. Gen. Buratai’s humble, remarkable selfless campaign against the insurgents have yielded fruits and very tremendous positive results indeed including his nationalistic disposition in safeguarding the nation from criminalities, the activities of headsmen and reducing the menace of militancy across the country is notably a landmark achievements to be proud of, which has attracted commendations of all and sundry including Mr. President. He remarked that the present leadership of the army is a key asset in this administration’s fight against corruption, insurgency and the safeguard of lives and property and as such should be commended for modernizing, repositioning, revolutionizing the Nigerian Army for professionalism, respect for democracy and effective service delivery. That the training and retraining of officers has stood the Nigerian Army out while enhanced collaborations with sister security agencies, robust civil military relationships has endeared the army to Nigerians and indeed the world.

Due to Buratai’s avowed determination to provide good welfare packages, enhanced remuneration, the purchase of military hardware and the creation of new military departments in regards to what is acceptable generally, has placed the Nigerian Army above board in all its responsibilities to the nation. The Nigerian army on its own, has also rekindled and pledged its support for the Nigerian constitution and be supportive of the democratic structures of the country in whatever aspect it is called to add value and deepen democracy.

As the Nigerian army basks in the euphoria of a refocused, reformed and repositioned 21stcentury army that prides itself as a super power in the African region, Nigerians and indeed, the international community should lend their support to the army because of its strategic and onerous task of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation and also join the army leadership to reinvigorate the fight against insurgents for the socio- economic growth and development of the country.

It further remarked that CWN and TNC registers with great degree of satisfaction and without mincing words, that the current 20th Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and the leadership of the army with the support of PMB’s administration, have transformed and repositioned the army like never before since its 150 years of existence and therefore deserves more support and commendation for the peace, unity and stability of this nation and we therefore, pass a vote of confidence on the entire leadership of the army for their unprecedented superlative achievements.