Senate Presents Award To Army For Contribution To Nation’s Safety

Senate has presented award to the Army for its contribution to nation’s safety.

Glamtush reports that the Senate on Thursday hailed and presented the Army with awards and accolades, for its contribution to the nation’s safety.

This online news platform understands that the commendation was championed by the chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua during a  Joint session budget defence comprising both the Red and Green Chambers.

Recall that earlier on Sunday, many residents were killed with scores injured after air strikes were launched on the Tundun Biri community, in Southern Kaduna.

The villagers were reportedly celebrating the birth of Prophet Mohammed when the jet dropped the bomb which led to the deaths of many.

The death toll rose to 127 on Wednesday, as scores of injured persons were taken to the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna.

The Nigerian Army accepted responsibility for the incident, stating that its troops were on a routine mission against terrorists when the “mistake” occurred.

Meanwhile, Yar’Adua while presenting the award to the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, said the commendation was in recognition of the contributions to the nation’s security.

He said, “This presentation is in recognition of your contributions and service to the country particularly, the security of  the nation.”

Yar’Adua also assured the committee will be transparent in the consideration of the 2024 Army budget.

He commended the Army chief for taking responsibility for the unfortunate incident in Kaduna while reiterating that the investigation would get to the root of the matter.

The committee, however, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.

Earlier, the Nigerian Army urged the National Assembly to review the Federal Government’s Envelope system of funding the Budget

According to Lagbaja, “the Envelope system leads to inadequate funding for the Army to perform optimally in line with its constitutional duties.”

The Army boss also called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill before the expiration of the 10th National Assembly.

He stressed that “Army and other services of the Nigerian Army forces will benefit from the passage of the bill through improved funding”

Lagbaja further reiterated that “the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on the 3rd of December is a regrettable error” that will not reoccur.”

He also presented a budget of  N787.2 billion for the 2024 fiscal year with a personal cost of N647.5 billion, overhead cost of N31.6 billion, and capital expenditure of N107.9 billion.

The Army also justified its N665.1 billion 2023 budget.