The Nigerian Army has graduated battle-ready troops to confront insecurity in the country following months of rigorous training at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia in Kaduna State, in Northwest Nigeria.
The graduation ceremony, which took place on Friday, October 20, 2023, featured a practical demonstration of military drills, showcasing the graduates’ newly acquired competencies in Tactical manoeuvre Physical proficiency, advanced shooting drills, warrior ethos and unarmed combat, among other vital skills.
In a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the training package, code-named Exercise Restore Hope V, is to adapt personnel who recently passed out of Depot Nigerian Army to the challenges posed by the ever-changing nature of threats within Nigeria’s security environment.
Addressing the graduating troops, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, described the objective of the exercise as an effort by the Nigerian Army to close observed gaps in its operations through focused, adaptive, and effective training to produce highly skilled and competent manpower for operational engagements in all theatres.
General Lagbaja maintained that the training exercise perfectly resonates with his command philosophy for the Nigerian Army, which is to “transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”
The COAS further clarified that Exercise Restore Hope offers a unique post-depot training model designed to enhance the professionalism and battle readiness of young soldiers.
The Army Chief emphasised that training is a key investment needed to achieve operational successes, pointing out further that a nation that places a high premium on funding troop training will spend less in prosecuting her wars.
While expressing satisfaction with the quality of training and performance of the troops in the demonstration, Gen. Lagbaja implored the troops to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the exercise in the field to create a safe and secure environment for socio-economic development.
The COAS appreciated President Tinubu for his untiring support to the Nigerian Army. He thanked the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for their efforts in the capacity development of the Nigerian Army to deliver on its constitutional mandate.
The Chief of Training (Army), Major General Sani Mohammed, said earlier in his welcome address that the 16 weeks of rigorous training had imbued the troops with the requisite military bearing to adapt to the highly dynamic security situation in the country.
The dignitaries who witnessed the ceremony were principal staff officers from the Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Commandants of Nigerian Army Schools, Heads of Security Agencies in Kaduna, the Agom Kachia of Kachia Chiefdom, His Royal Highness Zamani Dogonyaro and representatives from Kachia Local Government.
The COAS later embarked on a duty tour of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, also located in Kachia, where he was briefed by the Commandant, Maj. Gen. Teriworie Gagariga, on the state of the school and the security situation in the general area of Kachia.
He also addressed the troops, urging them to shun all social vices and remain professional and loyal to the Constitution and Government of Nigeria, reiterating his commitment to guaranteeing their welfare as topmost on his agenda for the Nigerian Army. He equally seized the opportunity to inaugurate the school bakery to meet the confectionary needs of both personnel and students at the school.
