Brain drain: We are ready to absorb returning doctors in our military hospitals — COAS

…adopting emerging technology for operational efficiency

The Chief of Army Staff,Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has assured Nigerian Doctors abroad willing to return to the country that the Nigerian Army is ready to absorb them into its military hospitals.

Lagbaja gave this assurance while receiving Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and top management team of the Commission at Army Headquarters,  Abuja.

The Chief of Army Staff said the Army will collaborate fully with the NIDCOM ‘s advocacy of bringing back home the best brains from the diaspora to help develop our various sectors in the country.

He said having been in the Diaspora before now, he noticed that Nigeria parades the best doctors in UK, US, Canada and South Africa and the Army under his command will be willing to employ them if they return home, thus reducing the scourge of brain drain.

The Army Chief expressed delight that Nigeria military abroad have been excelling in any military assignments given to them and making the country proud.

“It is therefore a thing of joy for me to partner with NIDCOM to celebrate these Army warriors who have been making us proud abroad in all their military operations as a morale booster for them.”

Lagbaja said the Army will be willing to collaborate with the Commission even at the home front to enhance the visibility of the Army and make Nigerians appreciate them for their sacrifice in keeping the country safe from any internal and external aggression.

He reiterated the resolve of the Army under his Command to maintain discipline, professionalism and ensure the protection of the citizenry against any form of aggression that will affect the corporate entity of the country.

Earlier, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa congratulated the new Chief of Army Staff  and commended him for his professionalism and the new positive image Army is getting since assumption into office.

She said the Commission is offering to partner with the Nigerian Army in celebrating and appreciating what they are doing to protect humanity being one of the best in the world.

While showcasing the activities of the Commission and areas of collaboration,  Dabiri-Erewa urged the Army Chief not to rest on his oars in the discharge of their professional duties as Nigerians do appreciate their sacrifice.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army will sustain the utilisation of emerging technologies to enhance efficiency in its operations.

This is contained in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu in Abuja.

Lagbaja said this on Tuesday when he received a position paper on the subject from participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 31.

The paper is titled: “Emerging Technologies and Operational Efficiency: Implications for the Nigerian Army by 2035”.

He commended the participants for a well researched paper on emerging technologies and its implications for operational efficiency.

The COAS said that the Nigerian army as a sub system of the larger society, was already keying into  emerging technologies in its institutions and establishments, adding that it would sustain the development.

He said that employing emerging technologies had provided the Nigerian army with improved surveillance capability, communication, efficient data management, situational awareness and strategic decision-making.

He added that the army could not divorce itself completely from the dynamics of both internal and external environments.

Earlier, the Commandant of NDC, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the presentation had unveiled the potential of emerging technologies in significantly impacting on present and future operational engagements of the army.

Olotu said the Nigerian army must continue to adopt and integrate evolving innovations to maintain a competitive edge in the theatres of operations as technologies continue to advance.

He added that the army should also aspire to be a driver of technological changes, while constantly providing new technologies to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.