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The All Progressives Congress, APC Chieftain, Osita Okechukwu, Sunday said Nigeria must stop fighting 21st century wars with 20th century military orthodox doctrines. He stressed that improved remuneration alone cannot guaranty victory over insurgency, terrorism and banditry without corresponding investment in superior technologies that define modern warfare.
Okechukwu made the statement while praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a significant salary increase for members of the Armed Forces.
This was disclosed in a statement he signed in reaction to the recent review of salaries and expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions.
President Tinubu had approved an 80 per cent salary increase for Privates to Staff Sergeants, 50 per cent for Warrant Officers to Colonels, and 30 per cent for Brigadiers to Generals, as well as the creation of four additional Army divisions.
He said: “Like millions of Nigerians, I wholeheartedly commend Mr President on the improved welfare of our gallant Armed Forces who daily risk their lives in defense of our nation.
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But patriotism makes one ask a fundamental question? In this era of lean fiscal resources and under budget implementation, how will our administration sustain such a significant increase in recurrent expenditure while adequately funding critical sectors such as healthcare, education and infrastructure without triggering hyper-inflation?
“Dear President, my concern in the midst of huge debt is the big elephant in the room. A nearly 30% pay rise across the board with little or no export product outside fluctuating oil price could trigger hyper-inflation and monetary paralysis?
“Albeit, Mr President I know that what is good for the goose is good for the gander; therefore the Police, other paramilitary agencies and the wider civil service will naturally demand aggressively for similar salary adjustments, to face the same market?”
Offering an alternative approach, Okechukwu said: “I believe that 30% budget addition to kitchen table welfare enablers to the greatest number of Nigerians among which are members of the Armed Forces and other public servants, interalia; comprehensive healthcare, quality educational opportunities and and affordable mortgage home schemes, will better spread joy, strengthen purchasing power, encourage productivity and employment. “It is a fact on record that 80 per cent. of the Armed Forces do not have homes with a mortgage.
On the expansion of the Army, Okechukwu said that in the 21st century military superiority is not determined by the size of an army but the sophistication of its technology.
“Today’s battlefields are characterized by drones, satellite surveillance, electronic warfare, cyber operations, precision-guided weapons, artificial intelligence and real-time intelligence. “Victory no longer belongs to the side with the most boots on the ground, but the side with superiority of AI-driven intelligence capabilities,” he added.
