The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has reiterated the significance of the Combat Service Support Corps of the Nigerian Army in translating the Army to a more effective fighting force.
The COAS stated this on Thursday 29th September, 2022, at the Bonfire Night that marked the Grand Finale of the two weeks Combat Service Support Exercise that started on 19th September, 2022, at the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi Edo State.
The Chief of Army Staff, who was ably represented by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Maj. Gen A.O Akintade, in his remarks said the exercise will assist the Logistics Corps of the Nigerian Army on their roles in providing logistics support and sustenance to combat troops. He therefore, urged for the translation of the lessons garnered from the exercise to reality in order to enhance the conduct of the Nigerian Army Operations.
In his opening remarks, the Exercise host, Corps Commander Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Maj Gen A. Mohammed, expressed his profound gratitude to the visionary leadership of the COAS for his support in enhancing the capacity of the Combat Service Support Corps for a more robust logistics support to the Nigerian Army. He added that the maiden exercise was designed to sharpen the skills of the Combat Service Support Corps for the provision of more efficient logistics support to the Nigerian Army.
Maj Gen A. Mohammed stated that the exercise nicknamed “Exercise Agbahon Agademi” meaning sustaining the fighter’s hope in Etsako local dialect, is aimed at addressing salient issues of logistics support including citing and deployment of logistics installations, administration of troops in the field, troops resupply and replenishment, equipment and medical support amongst others.
The Exercise Sponsor, Commandant Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Brig Gen A.E Edet, while giving the vote of thanks to the Special Guest of Honour and other dignitaries, stated that the exercise has afforded participants the opportunity to properly conduct logistics elements movement from concentration area to Bde Support Area, establishment of information centre and its importance, how to prepare logistic estimates, consideration for selecting and establishing of logistic support area, how to plan security of logistic support area, preparation and presentation of Combat Service Support Orders amongst others.
The Exercise also witnessed the Commissioning of a new fully furnished residence for Regimental Sergeant Major NASEME, Commissioning of Modern Spraying and Painting Booth, and commissioning of 2 x SNCO Quarters.
Other dignitaries in attendance were Commander TRADOC Maj Gen SO Olabanji, Corps Commander Ordnance Maj Gen AM Alabi, Corps Commander Supply and Transport Maj Gen E Akerejola, Rep of Corps Commander Medical, Comdt NACOL, Rep of GOC 2 Div NA, past EME Corps Commander and Royal fathers in Auchi villages and kingdoms.
The Exercise was concluded on Friday 30th September, 2022, with Washup/Debriefing and Medical outreach for the people of Ogbonna Community and environs.