The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force (South East) Operation UDO KA II, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada has charged the graduating students of Exercise Shining Star IV to be security conscious at all times.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Unuakhalu said Major General Dada stated this during the graduation ceremony of Exercise Shining Star IV 2023, at 82 Division Training School Exercise area, Abakpa Cantonment, Enugu.
This according to General Dada is in the light of the security threats within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
General Dada noted that the participants had utilised the best opportunity offered them by the school so as to effectively carry out the assigned task as well-trained soldiers. He commended the graduates for their commitment and discipline throughout the training.
He further commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja for approving the conduct of the exercise within the Division to enable troops to perform their constitutional roles professionally in line with global best practices. He equally appreciated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for his constant support to Headquarters 82 Division.
While commending the Division Training Officer, Brigadier General Okhume Ejere and instructors of 82 Division Training School for the successful conduct of the training, he urged the participants to remain resolute in the discharge of their duties especially those inducted in various ongoing Operations.
General Dada further enjoined the participants to remain disciplined and loyal to all constituted authorities which are pillars of professionalism, in line with the COAS command philosophy which is “To Transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving Our Conditional Responsibility within a Joint Environment”.
Earlier, the Divisional Training Officer, Brigadier General Okhume Ejere, appreciated the COAS for graciously approving to run of the training exercise “Shining Star” in the 2023 training year. Participants he disclosed were drawn from various formations within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility which includes 13 and 14 Brigades, 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion.
Brigadier General Ejere further disclosed that Exercise Shinning Star was geared at providing a common platform for harmonized post-basic training for selected young soldiers across the Nigerian Army formations. He pointed out that the training was very practical and was dominated by Field Training Exercises, toughening through endurance run/walk with various weight loads.
He maintained that the training also exposed the young soldiers to realistic and battle-focused training aimed at enhancing their ability to operate in teams and under actual command and control involving officers, SNCOs and NCOs.
Dominica Nwabufo
