By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged officers of the Nigerian Army to be adaptive, professional, and forward-looking in addressing the prevailing security challenges confronting the nation.
Oluyede gave the charge on Friday in Abuja at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Leadership and Strategic Studies Course (LSSC) 3/2024.
He was represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), Maj.-Gen. Gbemiga Adesina.
He stated that the dynamic nature of Nigeria’s security environment demanded officers who could think critically, strategise effectively, and lead with vision.
“The Nigerian Army expects you to apply the knowledge and skills gained here to enhance operational efficiency and contribute meaningfully to national security.
“I charge you, therefore, to be exemplary ambassadors of this Centre and to justify the investment made in your training,” he said.
Oluyede said the course was designed to bridge operational and strategic knowledge gaps among officers, thereby raising competencies to the highest professional standards.
According to him, the graduands, mainly direct regular commissioned officers, underwent 11 months of intensive training in political economy, defence economics, leadership, strategy, military history, policy analysis, and critical thinking.
He commended the Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. James Myam, and his team for their tireless efforts in running the programme.
He also hailed the immediate past D-G, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, for conceiving and nurturing the initiative.
The COAS further appreciated the contributions of resource persons, facilitators, and academic partners who enriched the course, as well as the families of officers who supported them throughout the training period.
He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to continuous human capacity development as a cornerstone of operational effectiveness.
Earlier, Myam described the 11-month course as rigorous and holistic, aimed at sharpening officers’ skills for effective service delivery.
He urged the graduands to apply the lessons learned and demonstrate professionalism in their respective formations, stressing that their performance would be closely monitored.
“We expect your performance to reflect the quality of learning you have received here.
“You will be monitored not only by your actions but also by the quality of your thoughts and contributions.
“We charge you to be worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre,” Myam said.
He thanked the COAS for his unwavering support to the centre in terms of funding and institutional backing, which made the course possible.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, for initiating the programme and acknowledged the sacrifices of families and spouses who supported the officers throughout the demanding course.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the LSSC was introduced to bridge training gaps between direct regular combatant officers and their regular combatant counterparts, with emphasis on leadership, strategy, and national security.
A total of 35 officers graduated from the course, including one Colonel and 34 Lieutenant Colonels drawn from various corps, units, and formations of the Nigerian Army. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)