Chief of Army Staff Charges Sergeant Majors on Ethics, Customs and Tradition, Declares RSM 2021 Convention Open in Ibadan

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has charged the men and officers of the Nigerian Army to put in every effort to install the position of the Regimental Sergeant Major popularly known as (RSM) in ensuring the Nigerian Army maintain the tradition, customs and the core professionalism of the army to tackle the security challenges confronting the country and nip it in the bud.

This was stated while the Chief of Army Staff was briefing journalists during the Regimental Sergeant Majors Convention 202, Theme: Professionalism in a Regimented Environment: “The RSM Perspective” held at the 2 Division Nigerian Army headquarters, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment Oojo, Ibadan.

The RSMs of the Army are saddled with the responsibilities of resisting their Commanders for maintaining standard and discipline amongst the non commissioned members and act as a parental figure to their subordinates, and to also translate informations from the senior officers, through proper analysis to the soldiers have been urged to uphold to the ethics and tradition of their duties.

While briefing Journalists General Yahaya said that his visit to Ibadan is to declare open the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) Convention 2021.

He further maintained that the role of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) is very essential and important to the officers and soldier of the Nigerian Army for they are the custodians of Army ethics, customs and traditions in every unit of the military.

“RSMs as we refered to them are very essential and important to the officers and Soldier they are the custodians of the Nigerian Army Ethics, Customs and traditions, in every units the RSM are considered as the father of the that unit, because he knows the tradition, history and culture of that unit and of there is any issue that need to be cleared about those aspects RSMs are the last result, when he speaks that is the final.

“I have spoken with them to continue doing their best in everything to install exacted position of RSM in ensuring that the Nigerian Army’s tradition, when we achieve that is part of the overall process of professional in Nigerian Army, this means in entirety doing our job in accordance with our training, with our established traditions and customs and teachings which will enhance our effectiveness and RSM achieve in this, and that is I’m passionate about the convention, and that is why I’m here to declare the convention open.

Lt General Farouk Yahaya appreciated the courage of the Nigerian Army and confidence that the Army will take something meaningful from RSM convention 2021.

“I’m very sure with the enthusiasm I have seen in them, and I appreciate their courage and I believe we will take something meaningful from the convention. I appreciate the 2 Div Headquarters for holding this convention as well as the Executive Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde and the good people of Oyo State for their hospitality and by personally attending the event by sending his Chief of Staff. Yahaya said.

Governor Makinde who was ably represented by His Chief of Staff Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, said the Army are Army only if the RSMs are doing their job, because they are meant to enforce discipline and ensuring that the rank and file are in the shape for warfare.

“For Nigerian to move forward, for Nigerians Army to be in shape the Senior non Commissioner officers which is the RSMs has to double their efforts. I believe we the current leadership we have at the Nigerian Army now, it shows that the leadership is ready to look at what is needed to be done in terms of training and equipments, because to much is given much is expected, so when the leadership gives us the tools, and gives us the political will, I urged us to be courageous since we already have the political will from the top. Makinde said.

The General Officer Commanding of 2 Div. Major General Gold Chubuisi urged the participants to see the convention as a platform to position themselves for their roles in actualizing the Chief of Army Staff mission.

He said further, “there is no gainsaying that the Regimental Sergeant Majors RSM are the custodian and repository of every unit regimentation, as well as the most sophisticated link between the officers and and soldiers, the theme for this year’s convention which is Professionalism In A Regimented Environment, the Regimental Sergeant Majors Prospective was therefore aptly coined and no doubt will equip the RSMs with the prerequisites knowledge to perform their roles and promote professionalism.

I urged you to therefore avoid distraction and make the best of this convention, embrace it with all seriousness to ensure that you return to your unit and formations better equiped to perform your roles optimally.

The opening event also witnessed presentation of souvenirs to some distinguished retired Army Officers, among them is the former military governor of Lagos State, Brigadier General Raji Rasaki Rtd.