A Coalition of Pan-Nigeria Groups under the aegis of Odua Progressive Union(OPU), has commended and applauded the Nigerian army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, for the successful hosting of the African Land Forces Summit, 2018, with the theme: “Unity is Strength: Combating Africa’s Security Challenges”, a collaboration of the United States military through the auspices of the African Command (AFRICOM), which holds these annual conferences across Africa with allied countries that have carved a niche for themselves in confronting terrorism and criminalities headlong across the continent.
In a release signed by National Co-ordinator, Ishaq Morufu Olaniyi, and Publicity Secretary, Ogbeni Daramola Balogun, respectively, they commended the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the US Army African Command for the hosting of the 6th African edition of Africa’s military chiefs and principal officers which was hosted as a result of AFRICOM’s belief in the capacity of the Nigerian Army as a regional force to be reckoned with in combating global terrorism coupled with its strategic strides and decimation of the Boko Haram insurgents. According to the duo, this is indeed a giant leap, as it is the first time the Nigerian military has hosted a military summit of this magnitude since its inception, it is indeed a gigantic landmark and achievement not only to the Army but to the country and a summit to be proud of, taking into consideration the transformational reforms that have taken place since the present hierarchy assumed leadership. Emphasizing that it has also afforded military leaders from Africa the opportunity to strengthen their existing relationships, develop new ways of tackling security challenges on the continent so as to further their cooperation.
Accordingly, they stated that “the proliferation of small arms, terrorism, piracy and human trafficking have remained a major security challenge facing the African continent and the ferocity of extremist groups like Boko Haram, Alshabab, Ansurudeen and Alqaeda which requires the collaboration, partnership and synergies of the African military chiefs; so as to nip in the bud these challenges once and for all”.
The group urges the Nigerian Army leadership to grab the momentum, seize the opportunity, while making use of these accolades from far and near and continue with their good works to the nation in repositioning the Nigerian military for effective service delivery to complement the actualization of PMB change agenda. Clamouring that the summit is a land mark event and the largest single gathering of Africa’s senior military top brass in recent times and emphasizing that it has also provided the Nigerian Army the forum to showcase its capabilities, project its image and military might and should be encouraged and commended by all well-meaning Nigerians for the sole opportunity to host this epoch making event; which goes to show that the world is indeed watching Nigeria and proud of her achievements so far in handling the BH insurgents and other criminalities across the country in keeping with international best practices and rules of engagement during war.