By Augustine Ehikioya
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has inaugurated Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 8/2024, at the Tukur Yusufu Buratai Hall of the College, on Friday 16 February, 2024.
Addressing the participants, Gen Lagbaja pointed out that training is “a crucial investment needed to achieve operational success in any security environment.”
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), the COAS said that a nation that places high premium on funding troops’ training will spend less on prosecuting its war.
The Army Chief said that the prime place of training in the Nigerian Army (NA) to live up to its statutory responsibilities as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution is aptly captured in his Command Philosophy which is “To Transformed the Nigerian Army into a Well Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force, Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint Environment”.
Noting that though the country is being confronted with a myriads of security challenges, he reiterated the commitment of the NA to prioritize continuous training of personnel and produce competent officers and men that can effectively confront Nigeria’s multi-faceted security challenges of the current era.
Disclosing that the AWCN was established to bridge identified training gaps between the tactical and strategic levels of warfare, he challenged the participants to be courageous and ingenious in bringing to the table, viable military options that will improve troops’ operational effectiveness and surmount current security challenges.
He reminded the participants that their selection was based on individual competencies, career prospects, and recognition of their potentials to undertake the course.
Highlighting the inaugural lecture titled “Military Leadership in a Volatile and Complex Operating Environment”, Gen Lagbaja appreciated the Guest Speaker and former COAS, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) for the lecture.
He described it as apt and in consonance with current realities.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant AWCN, Major General Ishaya Maina affirmed that AWCN prides itself as a center of excellence, acknowledged both locally and internationally as an institution with high proficiency in the delivery of professional military education.
He clarified that this is evidenced in the feedback received from the institution’s Alumni, who have continued to record impressive performances in the field.
The Commandant reminded the participants that the dynamics of contemporary security environment places premium on operational level leaders with the requisite expertise in military decision making and strategic thinking, stressing that the requirement for highly skilled and motivated operational level leaders is more pressing than ever.
The AWCN Course 8/2024 comprises 66 participants from the Nigerian Army, 2 from the Nigerian Navy, 2 from the Nigerian Air Force and 7 from an allied nation.
Highlights of the inauguration is the inaugural lecture titled: “Military Leadership in a Volatile and Complex Operating Environment” delivered by the Guest Speaker, former COAS and former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd).
