South East Development Peace Initiative has attributed the recent ranking of the Nigerian army to the ongoing transformation by the Chief of Army Staff Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja the Association’s President and former Commissioner in Enugu State Hon Vitus Okechi said the ranking shows that the recent efforts of the army leadership is yielding positive results.

The army was recently ranked the 39th country out of 145 countries assessed in the Global Firepower Index of 2024.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed at a press briefing heralding the series of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024 with the theme “Transforming the Nigerian Army: Imperative for Combating Contemporary Security Challenges within a Joint Environment”.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, the COAS noted that NADCEL is a celebration of one of the greatest Armies in the world whose eventful history spans 161 years.

Reacting, the President of the South East Development Peace Initiative Hon Vitus Okechi who recently hailed current reforms by the Chief of Army Staff noted that the Nigerian Army merits the new ranking having made significant contributions to national development and progress in several areas such as security, education, engineering, health, science, sports and many other spheres.

He told newsmen that the group decided to speak out in commendation having observed the conscious efforts to make the army more responsive as well as recent achievements recorded in the fight against insecurity.

Okechi, who was also a former Local Government Chairman in Enugu State said the Chief of Army Staff’s commitment towards transforming the Nigerian army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force deserves commendation.

While lauding President Bola Tinubu for Lagbaja’s appointment Hon. Okechi called on Nigerians to support the army hierarchy expressing optimism that the insecurity in the country would soon end.

“As a group we are encouraged by what the army is doing; we have confidence in the robust strategies, the clear and resolute vision from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

“You will agree with us that his appointment as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has made a difference in the fight against insecurity in the country.”

He described the Nigerian Army as one of the greatest Armies in the world whose eventful history spans 161 years.

“The capabilities and doggedness of the Nigerian Army ensured its troops participated in the First and Second World War and numerous peacekeeping and peace support operations in different parts of the world.

“Its heroic exploits in Peacekeeping especially in the last 2 decades are well acknowledged globally and particularly by the United Nations.

“The effectiveness of the Nigerian Army in peacekeeping has resulted in several requests for its deployment in various troubled countries, and despite our security challenges, Nigeria submit to calls for increased participation of her troops in international peace efforts.

“Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt Gen TA Lagbaja the 23rd Chief of Army Staff is expected to continue to conduct kinetic and non kinetic operations to ensure the quick resolution of our security challenges.”