By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) has today, graduated 197 personnel set to be deployed as Nigerian Contingent 10 ECOWAS Peacekeeping mission in the Gambia.
The graduation ceremony which was held at the MLAILPKC Parade Ground, Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State, marks the conclusion of a 5-week intensive pre-deployment training programme.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Uwem Bassey charged the troops on professionalism and to be ambassadors of peace, stressing that the ceremony is not just a call for celebration but a moment to reflect on the responsibilities that lies ahead of them. Major General Bassey urged the troops to embody the values of courage, dedication and integrity for which they were trained. He added that as Nigerian Contingent, they are symbols of peace not just in the Gambia but Africa as a continent.
The Chief of Operations, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army) Force Generation, Major General Ishaya Maina, said Nigerian Contingents have continued to play critical roles in the ECOWAS mission, which has resulted to relative political and social stability in the Gambia. He therefore, urged the Nigerian Contingent 10 to ensure that the successes achieved by their predecessors are sustained and improved on when deployed.
The Chief of Operations, equally warned the troops to avoid any conduct that is not in conformity with the professional standards required of peacekeepers, adding that the Nigerian Army (NA) would not cover acts of indiscipline and misconduct by it’s personnel. “I must stress the importance of maintaining the highest standards of conduct and discipline. One area that requires attention is the issue of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The NA will not condone any act that brings dishonour to the mission or our dear Country. He stressed.
Earlier, during his welcome address, the Commandant MLAILPKC, Major General Ademola Adedoja said the graduating troops assembled at the Centre on 17 and 18 May 2025 for the pre-deployment training. The troops were taken through a comprehensive medical evaluation to assess their health status, physical and mental fitness before the commencement of the training.
The Commandant revealed that being a UN-accredited Centre for Pre deployment training, the training curriculum used for the training was designed in accordance with UN Core Predeployment Training Manuals (CPTM).
Major General Adedoja, said the training was tailored to be mission-specific, expressing optimism that the troops of Nigerian Contingent 10 will delivered on the mandate and like their counterparts in other peacekeeping operations, they will make Nigeria proud.
He highlighted some of the areas that the troops were drilled on to include Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Base Camp Occupation, Convoy drills and protection of VIP, GPS, Medical Evacuation among others.
The Commandant while commending the troops for their discipline throughout the training, wished them a successful tour of duty in the Gambia.
He also commended the the Facilitators and the Centre’s training team for the commitment and zeal to carry out their duties. Most importantly, he thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for providing the Centre with all necessary requirements for the conduct of the training.
The event was well attended by Principal Staff Officers from the Defence and Army Headquarters as well as Heads of Military Establishments and Commandants of Training Institutions and Heads of other Security Agencies within Kaduna State.
