Army chief meets former generals

A new course is emerging in the search for solution to the insecurity bedevilling the country as retired top military and police brass are being recalled to national duty but this time as advisers.Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday in Kaduna met with retired infantry officers from the rank of colonel to general, a day after the Inspector General of Police met with his predecessors in Abuja.The retired military officers who attended the Kaduna meeting, held at the Jaji Military Cantonment, include former Chief of Defence Staff Lt-General Alani Akinrinade, Major General Emmanuel Abisoye, Major General Olanrewaju Enahoro, Major General Alexander Mshelbwala, Major General E. Clerk and Major General Saleh Maina.Also in attendance were Major General Zamani Lekot, Major General Paul Tarfa, Major General Tunde Bello, Major General Kamaruddeen Role, Major General P. Y Pyeng, Brigadier General John Shagaya, Brigadier General Bello Dambazau and Colonel John Madaki.In his remarks at the opening of the session, Ihejirika said the Army will continue to seek guidance from retired officers in planning its activities.He also spoke about the talks of breakage of the country, saying the Armed Forces would never allow this to happen.'When I hear people talk of break up, I wonder if they are aware that there is an Army that fought to keep the country united and are ready to prevent any attempt to break the country. The Army will not agree to that,' he said.Major General Olanrewaju Enahoro said armies all over the world are being transformed to be able to tackle emerging challenges due increase in militarisation of the civil society.'Every event must be analysed and the results must guide commanders in planning. Each conflict has its uniqueness,' he said.Shagaya said civil-military relations must be improved to strengthen intelligence gathering network as well as tackle the present security challenges. He advised also that only competent candidates should be recruited into the military while traditional leaders be given constitutional responsibility in addressing security challenges.The Commander of Infantry Corps, Major General Mohammed Isa, said the interactive session with retired senior officers was meant to uplift the Army in policy formulation.The meeting continues through the week.
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