The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has identified inadequate manpower and funding as well as lack of a viable industrial base as the challenges plaguing the Nigerian Army’s contribution to the national development.
He disclosed this while delivering the distinguished personality lecture organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin and the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre, Jaji.
The lecture of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja focused on the roles and contribution of the Nigerian Army to national development.
He was represented by the Chief of Training, Army, Major General Sanni Mohammed.
He identified some of the contributions of the Nigerian Army to the national development which include internal security, combating external threats, peace support operations, unification of Nigerians as well as socio-economic development and policy provisions.
Though some of the military hardwares are now produced in the country, Lt General Lagbaja said more than 90 percent of military requirements are imported due to lack industrial base.
The Chief of Army Staff also identified inadequate manpower and funding as well as poor understanding of security by Nigerians as the major challenges.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole advocated continuous maintenance of peace and security for development.
The lecture was organised to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace.
