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Protecting Rights, Ensuring Security: COAS Lagbaja's Message at NA Human Rights Seminar

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has declared open, the Third Edition of the Nigerian Army (NA)Human Right Seminar in Lagos, saying the Army upheld the protection of rights of the Nigerian citizens during the conduct of operations. The one day event which focuses on the theme, Human Rights and National Security: A Strategic Balance was held yesterday by Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, (DCMA), at 81 Division Officers' Mess, Outer Marina, Victoria Island Lagos.Declaring the seminar open, the COAS who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa welcomed participants and stated that on his assumption of office as COAS, he immediately authorized a periodic conduct of seminars on Human Rights to be organized across the country; saying, this is the third edition of such event.He further said that the NA conducts combat operations to protect Nigerians from various violent armed groups, insurgents, criminal elements and other security challenges, only in a professional manner to ensure that the human rights of the people are upheld always.The Army Chief noted that the military desires to harness the potentials of all stakeholders within the multidimensional operating environment to achieve the aim of winning the confidence, support and commitment of the civil population to activities of the NA towards further upholding human rights in the country.The COAS also said it was deliberate that Lagos State which is the hotbed for Human Rights, Civil Society Organizations, the Media and other relevant stakeholders was selected as the venue for the seminar as a result of recent happenings in our beloved country and across the world.He therefore hoped that the seminar would bring out the perspectives of participants in developing pathways towards achieving our national security objectives while the security forces conduct operations in line with the provisions of relevant laws.4The Army Chief also used the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support and strategic guidance to the NA.Similarly, the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Hon. Justice (Prof) Mojeed Adekunle Owoade (Rtd) started his remarks by commending the leadership of the NA for rising to the challenge of a changing security situation by organizing a seminar on a topic of such importance.He said that as countries and situations evolve, institutions of the State like the Army must also evolve to meet the challenges of the time.The retired justice therefore added that at a time when the Army is deployed in many cities and communities, contending with insecurity, the NA deemed it appropriate to organize a seminar on Human Rights.He emphasized that while society can only function smoothly when individual freedoms and rights are upheld, "there is always the need to protect the rights of one individual against the freedoms of another", he emphasized. In his welcome address earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA) Major General Nosakhare Ugbo in welcoming the participants to the seminar said that the third edition of the Seminar on Human Rights is in line with the COAS's Command philosophy which is: "to Transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force capable of carrying out it's constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment".He said that upholding human rights has always been included in the code of conduct and Rules of Engagements for troops of the NA.He further said that while the NA continues to carryout disciplinary measures to deter personnel, it has also embarked on a massive campaign to sensitize troops on the need to uphold human rights as a fundamental requirement to enhance mission accomplishment in counter Insurgency and internal security operations.The seminar was colourful and interactive, as it attracted the presence of very senior officers from the Army Headquarters and the 81 Division, senior jurists, Government functionaries, Human Rights activists, the media, Heads of Civil Society Organizations among others.Highpoint of the seminar were presentation of souvenirs, lectures by prominent resource persons, interactive session and group photographs.www.twitter.com/spyetv