By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Army has held a 5-day Leadership Awareness and Development Course for senior non-commissioned officers of 8 Division and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, aimed at strengthening their leadership capacity, efficiency and professionalism.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement signed on Thursday.
The General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Koughna, represented by the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 8 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, welcomed participants and thanked the Nigerian Army Resource Centre for facilitating the programme.
The GOC said the course directly reflects the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy, which is to transform the Nigerian Army into a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and multi-agency environment.
Major General Koughna described the course as a strategic intervention designed to equip senior non-commissioned officers with relevant skills to improve their performance and service delivery.
He noted that it would also help participants understand their responsibilities as leaders and address gaps in the system, particularly in joint and inter-agency operations.
The GOC urged participants to pay close attention to the course and apply its lessons to strengthen leadership, discipline and professionalism within the ranks.
He also cautioned them against the misuse of social media and emphasised the need for effective coordination and cooperation in joint operations.
In his inauguration remarks, the Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (DG NARC) , Major General James Gwaza Khalifa Myam (rtd), represented by Major General Ifiok Obot (rtd), said the course was specially designed to address combat leadership, which places a heavy burden on senior non-commissioned officers and demands unmatched discipline, competence and commitment.
Representative of the DG NARC said the programme is aimed at enhancing creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and other contemporary leadership skills among Nigerian Army and paramilitary personnel to enable them adapt to and confront the evolving security challenges facing the nation.
He added that the course would challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives and enhance leadership capabilities.
Topics covered included leadership framework, inter-agency collaboration and cooperation, emotional intelligence and critical thinking, social media misuse and its implications, leadership in crisis and war, as well as the Constitution, Armed Forces Act and the military justice system among others .
Resource persons at the course included Major General Ifiok Obot (rtd), Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Mrs Temitope Aiyedogbon and Colonel Cyril Oforumazi.
