Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, reiterated that the safety of life and property of all residents and citizens of the state is the utmost priority of his administration.
The governor, who stated this while declaring open the fourth quarter Army Headquarters Veteran Affairs Directorate Seminar 2021, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), said the nation had reached a point where it needs the skills of all, both serving and retired.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, urged the Army to reflect deeply and proffer solution for improving national security in line with the theme of the workshop.
He said that there was much talent among the retirees, many of whom are retired but not tired, and that the workshop would do well to explore their skills and expose participants to Nigerian values that they could take pride in.
In his opening remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, (CoAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the retirees had inherent capacities, having served for so long in the Army and garnered experience while they were in service.
Yahaya, who was represented at the event by the Army Chief of Administration, Maj.-Gen. Usman Mohammed, said the country would overcome its current security challenges if the citizens develop a strong relationship with the military and complement its effort in fighting terrorism.
Yahaya, who was represented at the event by the Army Chief of Administration, Maj.-Gen. Usman Mohammed, noted that the veterans were closer to the society and members of the populace.
“So, we believe that organising this kind of seminar, we will be in the position to tap into their experience by learning from them and soliciting their support.
“And also getting requisite information that we think can help us to better operate within the society and understand the pulse of the conduct of our operations, even how we can carry out our operations better,” he said.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, in his welcome address, said the seminar was a testimony of the CoAS determination to utilise all available skills of both serving personnel and retirees to defend Nigeria.