Nigerian Army Inaugurates Leadership Training for officers in Sokoto state

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has inaugurated a 5-day Leadership Awareness Development Training for non-commissioned officers of 8 Division Area of Responsibility to enhance their critical thinking.

The training was organised by Nigerian Army Headquarters Department of Training in collaboration with Nigerian Army Resource Centre.

Declaring the training open, Major General Lagbaja said the course was designed to cater for an observed leadership gap between the subalterns and the young soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

General Lagbaja, represented by General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Godwin Mutkut, added that the Leadership Awareness Development Course is also aimed at enhancing creativity and critical thinking skills amongst personnel of the Nigerian Army.

“As a leader at your level, your ability to think fast and exercise command and control of troops placed under you is paramount to the success, growth and development of the Nigerian Army and the country at large. 

 “The training would provide you refresher so as to enable you adapt and confront the evolving security challenges facing the nation,” he noted.

According to him, the course was in line with COAS Command Philosophy which is to “Transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”. 

He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity to develop their leadership skills to enable them discharge their duties more professionally, while operating in joint operational environments.

He also admonished them to “exhibit high level of commitment, enthusiasm and discipline throughout the duration of the Course”.

Earlier, the Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab (rtd), explained that the training is to bridge leadership issues among security operatives as “no one can separate the Army from DSS, Police, NSCDC among others in a joint operation.”

He further noted that it was also to enhance the capacity of senior officers who are Commanders at various operations and formations in the country.

General Wahab added that it is expected at the end of the training, officers should understand how to analyse various opinions critically for successful operations.

“It is expected at the end of the course participants should have a required skills on how to handle troops under them especially during the tactical operations which would improve security in the country”, he said.