By Odita Sunday
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to prioritising troops’ welfare and family well-being, declaring that personnel motivation remains critical to operational effectiveness.
Shaibu stated this on Thursday, during the commissioning of the newly constructed Nigerian Army Space Command Headquarters at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.
The Army Chief said investments in accommodation, healthcare and modern infrastructure were central to improving personnel morale and providing a conducive working and living environment for troops and their families.
He explained that the initiative was in line with his Soldier First mantra and the command philosophy’s pillar of Sound Administration, which places personnel welfare at the heart of the Army’s transformation agenda.
Shaibu also highlighted the strategic importance of the Space Command in strengthening the Nigerian Army’s technological capabilities and enhancing its operational effectiveness.
According to him, the integration of space-based assets with unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and other emerging technologies would serve as a force multiplier in military operations.
He noted that such capabilities would enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, improve situational awareness and support timely operational decisions while reducing troops’ exposure to danger.
The COAS urged personnel to ensure proper maintenance of the newly commissioned facility, stressing that technological advancement must be supported by adequate training, discipline and accountability.
He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s resolve to build a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force through sustained investments in personnel welfare, infrastructure development and modern military capabilities.
The commissioning of the Space Command headquarters underscores the Army’s drive to strengthen its technological capacity and improve its ability to respond effectively to emerging security threats.
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