Controversy As 55-Year-Old COAS Yahaya Reveals He Joined The Army 36 Years Ago

The Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Farouk Yahaya on Tuesday revealed that he has put in 36 years of service having joined the military in 1985.

The 36 years is already one year more than the normal 35 years constitutionally allowed in the public service before retirement, Naija News reports.

Yahaya made the disclosure when he appeared for screening before the House of Representatives Committees on Defence and Army following his recent appointment as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by President Muhammadu Buhari after the sudden death of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a military plane crash in Kaduna.

It is further understood that the minimum age for enlisting into the Nigerian Armed Forces is put at 18 years old for voluntary service and are expected to retire from service at 55 years or after putting in 35 years of service according to the Federal Civil Service rules.

But speaking to the lawmakers on Tuesday, Gen. Yahaya revealed that he joined the Army in September 1985 as a member of course 37 at the NDA.

He promised to bring his many years of experience to bear if confirmed as the new Chief of Army Staff by the lawmakers.

Yahaya noted that his previous duties and responsibilities within the military makes him very aware of the current security challenges in the country and if confirmed, will work with other service chiefs to provide sustainable solutions.

He said; “I joined the military 36 years ago. So I bring along with me, 36 years of military experience, having joined the Army in September 1985 as a member of course 37 at the NDA. I have had experience commensurate with my career. So, I’m abreast with the security requirements of Abuja, and so on.

“I have been involved in several security operations. The challenges we are facing now, all are characterized by the areas I mentioned, where I have firsthand information and have commanded troops and I administered them in achieving what we’ve done.

“I believe I have the requisite requirements by the grace of God to now provide my services in this office of the chief of Army Staff if confirmed. What I am bringing is wealth of experience and commitment. So I’m committed and determined to provide my best having known what is required to achieve results.

“Security is everybody’s business because the job cannot be done by one person. So we need all the support. And with the support of the people will win our fight against insecurity.

“From experience, this job cannot be done by any single service or entity. Indeed in the Army, the Army itself is a group work not individual that’s why we arranged in sections and companies and battalions and brigades.

“This job is collective and as it was captured in the vision of the late Chief of Army Staff and in my own Mission too. There is also mentioned of joint environment in what we do, having realized that this job is not one service’s job.

“Not only that, it also requires the collaboration of other agencies, services and stakeholders. We have always operated together. That is why you see the composition of a joint team made of the Army, Navy, Airforce and now including the Police, DSS, and Civil Defense.

“As we know, internal security is intelligent driven operation. So we need others, including communities, including traditional rulers and all others who can provide information. We need to work together.

“At the Defence headquarters level, all the Service Chiefs now we are all mates at the Academy. At one time or the other, all of us work together. So the synergy can’t be anything better now that we’re brought up together, we have trained together.”

The Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson while speaking during the screening, noted that Nigeria needs fresh ideas to curb the banditry, kidnapping, and general insecurity in many regions of the country.

The lawmaker also praised the professional relationship between the military and politicians since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

In his words, “This exercise comes at a very challenging time in the history of our dear country, Nigeria. Our nation has been besieged by several security issues across all the geo-political zones with banditry, militancy and self-secessionists stretching our military to the extreme.

“The worst is the lingering insurgency in the North-East. This war has cost the country a lot both financially and in terms of human lives. This must stop. The Armed Forces of Nigeria needs to adopt innovative measures to curb the killings and wanton destruction of property as a result of these cases of insecurity.

“I, therefore, hope that, if confirmed, the new Chief of Army Staff will do everything possible, working with other service chiefs, to bring this to an end. You will agree with me that Nigeria deserves a re-invigorated Armed Forces that is robust, well-trained, adequately equipped, efficient and fully motivated to protect Nigerians from the devastating effects of terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

“This screening exercise comes at the heels of Nigeria’s twenty-two years of uninterrupted democratic experience. I must say that the relationship between the National Assembly and Armed Forces of Nigeria has progressively improved as the parliament continues to exercise the necessary democratic oversight of the defence sector.

“Let me reiterate the firm resolve of the 9th House of Representatives, ably led by the Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and particularly, the Committees on Defence and that of Army’s pledge to continually ensure a secure, peaceful and prosperous country for all Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to achieve this.

“Let me assure you that the Joint Committees on Defence and Army will be thorough, transparent and sincere in the conduct of this screening. We owe this to Nigerians as their representatives. Consequently, we seek your cooperation as we embark on this constitutional legislative process.

“The worsening security situation in the country has been blamed on lack of functional local government system arising from inefficiency and absence of fiscal federalism to enable them carry out their constitutional responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federal, Boss Mustapha, on Tuesday claimed that the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in developing local industries has resulted in the growth of local businesses.

He further stated that Nigerians now proudly use products branded made-in-Nigeria.

Mustapha added that this would impact the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, generation of employment opportunities and reduction in the cost of production.

The SGF said this while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the exhibition of made-in-Nigeria products in Abuja.