Nigerian Army laments leakage of official documents, violation of Armed Forces Policy
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The Nigerian Army (NA) has lamented the recurring leakage of its official documents in contravention of the Official Secrets Act, including the spate of violations of the Armed Forces Policy on the Use of Social Media by their personnel.
The Chief of Army staff, (COAS) Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja expressed the dismay earlier in Kaduna, while declaring the ongoing 2023 Chief Clerks Convention open.
He said the Army will continue to put up programmes that would improve personnel efficiency, so as to enable them to discharge their duties professionally.
Lagbaja, who was represented by Brigadier General Moses Gara, said it was necessary that the avenue is created to promote improvement in the discharge of their duties, saying the convention was designed to improve the productivity and capacity of Chief Clerks in the NA, especially in terms of clerical duties, document security, staff work and office management.
The Army Boss noted that relevant pictures related to the duties and responsibilities of Chief Clerks have been drawn up for discussion during the event, adding that the programme was in line with his command’s philosophy to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
He also stressed that the NA as a whole must continue to undergo realistic training and be capable of accomplishing all its statutory tasks.“I am particularly disturbed by the recurring leakage of our official documents in contravention of the Official Secrets Act. More worrisome, is the spate of violations of the Armed Forces Policy on the Use of Social Media by personnel.
“I implore you as custodians of official documents and sensitive information to resolve to ensure this is decisively addressed. I have directed that all clerks and personnel handling sensitive documents be routinely vetted by appropriate corps and departments of the NA. However, you have to contribute to this drive by ensuring you also monitor the clerks under you.
“This Convention will expose you to new and innovative techniques of data management, clerical duties, organisation and office management. I, therefore, urge you all to participate actively in the Convention so that you as individuals and the NA as an organisation can reap the full benefits of the package.
“In line with my command philosophy which is ‘To transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-Trained, Equipped and highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment,’ the NA as a whole must continue to undergo realistic training and be capable of accomplishing all its statutory tasks.
“To do this, we must re-invigorate capabilities that have declined, enhance the capacity of our personnel and develop new capabilities for all round increased efficiency. The importance of Chief Clerks in this regard is premium. Chief Clerks play very crucial roles in all headquarters, formations and units.
“A robust, resourceful and knowledgeable Chief Clerk will contribute effectively in the attainment of a commander’s mission while a weak and incompetent Chief Clerk has little or nothing to offer to his commander. This Convention is therefore a catalyst to the attainment of my Command Philosophy and the theme of the Convention which is ‘To Enhance Efficiency of Nigerian Army Chief Clerks for Effective Contribution to the Achievement of Nigerian Army Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’ is both apt and relevant.
“I trust that there will be no idleness going from the series of germane and interesting lectures I’ve seen in the programme. I am particularly happy that ample time has been allotted for interactive sessions after each paper presentation to enable participants make contributions,” he said.
