By Victor Akaa.
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Saturday, represented Nigeria at the esteemed “Peace, Security and the Commitment of the Youth” symposium at the Golf de Cicé-Blossac in Rennes, France.
According to the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement said, the event, hosted by French Army Chief of Staff, General Schill Pierre, aimed to redefine military partnership and fister collaborative approaches to regional security, bringing together 12 African Army Chiefs.
General Lagbaja delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “Armies and the Protection of their National Territory: Legal Framework, Issues and Challenges.” He emphasized the imperative of broad-spectrum collaboration, extending beyond military realms, to effectively address contemporary security threats.
His insightful perspective sparked a lively panel discussion, underscoring the need for collective action in protecting national territories.
Notably, General Lagbaja and his Ivorian counterpart were the only foreign delegates invited to present papers at the symposium, a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global security forums. The Nigerian delegation also attended the commissioning ceremony of cadets into the French Army at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy, further solidifying bilateral ties. The Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy who accompanied COAS initiated bilateral engagements with cadets at the sidelines of the symposium.
General Schill whilst speaking, disclosed the intention of the French Army to change its mode of engagement with foreign partners, particularly in Africa, to transit from a solely military, to an all-encompassing, mutually beneficial approach to relationship cum engagement.
This strategic engagement reinforces the Nigerian Army’s commitment to international cooperation and its pivotal role in shaping regional security dynamics.
