Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, has commended the Nigerian Army for its commitment to the unity of the country.
He said members of the Nigerian Army remained committed, not minding the antics of some forces trying to undermine the system for selfish intentions.
Oba Balogun said this when Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, alongside some senior members of the Army, paid him a courtesy visit at his Alarere residence.
The traditional ruler, who was a member of the Senate Committee on Nigerian Army between 1999 and 2003, said the Army has kept its head high in spite of the myriad of challenges facing the country of recent.
The posture of the Army on national unity, the Olubadan said in a statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Mr Oladele Ogunsola, has continuously wins his admiration of the Force.
Oba Balogun prayed for the success of the new CoAS and his team under the Presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and emphasised the importance of peace in any society.
“There is no alternative to peace as it remains the pivot upon which the pillars of progress, prosperity, growth and development rest.
“You, I mean Armed Forces, hold a very crucial and strategic position in the task of taking our country out of the woods.
“You need all the necessary support and prayers and it is my prayers for you that the Almighty Allah will grant you all what it takes to achieve the set objective of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give us a new Nigeria which all of us will be proud of,” he added.
The Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin (a retired Major in the Nigerian Army) commended the CoAS for taking his time to visit the Olubadan.
He also described the visit as the first from such a ranking military officer since the inauguration of Oba Balogun over a year ago.
Speaking in line with Oba Balogun, High Chief Olakulehin remarked that the role of the military in the life of Nigeria, either while in charge as military government or under the democratic dispensation cannot be over-emphasised.
He charged the new CoAS to remain focused and committed to the assigned duties towards justifying the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu.
The Baba-Kekere Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Kola Balogun, welcomed the visitors on behalf of Olubadan and members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.
He disclosed that he too served as a member of the Senate Committee on the Nigerian Army during the immediate past 9th Assembly and said it afforded him a close interaction with the military.
He said the Nigerian Army “has remained a pride to the country by its display of professionalism, loyalty, gallantry and commitment to the cause of its establishment.
“[This is] either in ensuring that Nigeria is saved and secured or while on peace-keeping missions outside the shore of the country which has won the country international medals.
“The Nigerian Government has been doing its very best too to ensure that funds have been allocated to the Armed Forces within the scope of availability. This I can attest to while in the Senate.
“The import of this is that the government at all times realises the crucial roles fund can play in ensuring that our officers and men are exposed to regular trainings and equally motivated by addressing their welfare.”
In his short address, General Lagbaja applauded the hospitality of Ibadan people, from the state governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan and the generality of the people.
The hospitality, he said he and his people have experienced since arriving the Oyo State capital for the Army Week holding at the Headquarters of the 2nd Div., Nigerian Army, Odogbo Cantonment, Ojoo, Ibadan.
The Army General equally expressed gratitude to the traditional institution in the country for the success of the Nigerian Army so far.
He, however, solicited for more of such support under the new dispensation headed by President Tinubu.
He declared that “the Nigerian Army cannot make headway if the traditional institution doesn’t support it.
“We are aware of the challenges ahead of us and we are ready to confront them head long. We need you, our royal fathers as the custodian of our culture and the father of all to achieve our set goals.
“You have always been there for us and if I say that we need you more now, I am not mincing words and I have the conviction that we can always count on your royal support,” he added.
